Part 54

Femur. Length 7.6 " 6.2 " Breadth of proximal end 2.2 " 1.9 " Breadth of distal end 2.2 " 1.9 " Circumference of middle of shaft 2.9 " 2.3 "

Tibia. Length 10.3 " 8.9 " Breadth of proximal end 2.3 " 1.9 " Breadth of distal end 1.10 " 1.3 " Circumference of middle of shaft 2.6 " 1.11 "

Metatarsus. Length 4.4 " 3.10 " Breadth of proximal end 1.8 " 1.5 " Breadth of distal end 1.9 " 1.6 " Breadth of middle of shaft 1.6 " 1.4 "

Locality of type: Oamaru.

Habitat: South Island.

A nearly perfect skeleton in the Tring Museum, collected by Mr. W. S. Mitchel in limestone cave on Oreti River, Southland.

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PALAEOLIMNAS FORBES.

Differs from Fulica by the much more curved shape of the skull, the deeply marked glandular impressions over the eyes, and the great pneumaticity of the frontal bones.

PALAEOLIMNAS CHATHAMENSIS (FORBES).

Fulica chathamensis H. O. Forbes, Nature, vol. XLVI p. 252 (1892).

Fulica newtoni H. O. Forbes, l.c. (non Milne-Edwards).

Palaeolimnas newtoni H. O. Forbes, Ibis 1893, p. 544.

Palaeolimnas chathamensis Milne Edwards, Ann. Sci. Nat. (VIII) 2, 1896 p. 130.

Dr. Forbes says in Nature "I procured from the same beds which contained Aphanapteryx a certain number of bones of a Fulica which much resemble those of Fulica newtoni; like the bones of Aphanapteryx (should be Diaphorapteryx, W.R.) they vary much in size, some being equal to, while others were considerably larger than similar bones of Fulica newtoni. This variation is so great that I am inclined to consider them as belonging to different species, or at least different races. I have given the name Fulica chathamensis" to the larger species.

Later, in the Ibis, Dr. Forbes says, "The limb-bones and pelvis correspond so closely to those of F. newtoni that I am not able to separate them. The head of the type is, however, unknown."

Professor Milne-Edwards, however, points out numerous differences. In the humerus the sub-trochanterial groove is bigger, and particularly wider than in typical Fulica. The iliac grooves are larger than in Fulica newtoni, the pelvic knob is more extended, and the sciatic foramen is larger. The first sacral vertebrae are stunted below the median sinus, while in the Mauritius species one observes a very stout one, occupying the four first vertebrae of the pelvis. The feet were also larger and stronger than in the latter.

Habitat: Chatham Islands.

An almost complete skeleton and numerous bones in the Tring Museum, and an almost complete skeleton in the British Museum. {150}

PALAEOLIMNAS NEWTONI (MILNE-EDWARDS).

Poules d'eau Sieur D.B., Voyages 1674.

Fulica newtoni Milne-Edwards, Ann. Sci. Nat. (5) VIII pp. 194-220, pls. 10-13 (1867).

The translation of the Sieur D.B.'s (Abbé Dubois) description is as follows:--"Waterhens which are as large as fowls. They are always black, and have a large white crest on the head." For the anatomical description I must refer my readers to Professor Milne-Edwards.

Habitat: Bourbon.

Milne-Edwards gives so many details in which Fulica newtoni agrees with Palaeolimnas chathamensis that I feel convinced that the former is not a true Fulica, and, until we know its skull and can decide for certain, I think it is best to include it in the genus Palaeolimnas. 16 tibiae, 30 metatarsi, 8 humeri, 2 sternums, 4 fragments and an entire pelvis and sacrum, and 3 cervical vertebrae in the Tring Museum.

PALAEOLIMNAS PRISCA (HAMILTON).

Fulica prisca Hamilton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV, p. 98 (1893).

This bird was nearly as large as Notornis, but with a very small head and with a frontal shield. It was probably a poor flier, though not flightless, as Fulica chathamensis was. It was smaller than the latter. Measurements, according to Hamilton:--