Part 80

The measurements of bones of the hind limb are as follows:--

Femur.

Length 320 mm. Width at distal end 190 "

Tibio-tarsus.

Length 640 mm.

There are at Tring two eggs of this species.

No. 1, traded.

Length 283.0 mm. Width 215.0 " Large circumference 777.5 " Small circumference 670.0 "

No. 2 Ambondo, Ambovombé in the district of Fort Dauphin.

Large circumference 775 mm. Small circumference 662.5 "

There are recorded of these eggs, besides the two mentioned above, eight further specimens, varying from 810 mm. to 771.5 mm. in large circumference, and 686 mm. to 654 mm. in small circumference.

In addition to these there are in various collections about eight or nine eggs whose species is doubtful. {227}

AEPYORNIS CURSOR M.-E. & GRAND.

Aepyornis cursor Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, C.R. CXVIII, p. 124 (1894).

Original description as follows: Ae. cursor is almost as large as Ae. grandidieri = maximus auct., nec. Geoffroy, but is more slender.

Length of tarso-metatarsus 380 mm. Width at proximal end 140 " Width at distal end 120 " Circumference of shaft 155 " Width of shaft 65 "

Habitat: Madagascar.

AEPYORNIS MEDIUS M.-E. & GRAND.

Aepyornis medius Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, Ann. Sci. Nat. ser. V, vol. XII, p. 179 (1869).

Aepyornis medius Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, Rech. Faune. Orn. Et. Masc. & Mad. (1866-73), p. 97, note 2.

This form was founded on a femur found at Amboulitsate in W. Madagascar, and is described as follows: "It presents the same general characters, and evidently belongs to an Aepyornis, but to a different species, which we will call Aepyornis medius. The femur in question is not only distinguished by its lesser proportions but by the narrower external face of the bone; which variation results in causing the whole area between the trochanter and the base of the femoral neck to be much less depressed. The intermuscular line, which marks the insertion surface of the deep portion of the femoral triceps muscle, is hardly indicated, whereas it is very pronounced in the larger femur. The posterior side is also more rounded, and the distance which separates the popliteal depression from the proximal extremity is larger; the shape of this large depression is, however, the same as in the larger femur, and although the articular surfaces above it do show some differences, we know that these characters are not very reliable as they are subject to individual variations.

Circumference of shaft 215 mm."

Habitat: West Madagascar. {228}

AEPYORNIS HILDEBRANDTI BURCKH.

Aepyornis hildebrandti Burckhardt, Pal. Abh. (VI) II, p. 127 (1893).

I must refer my readers to Dr. Burckhardt's description, as it is too long and too technical to be reproduced here, especially as it is not comparative. I, however, give here some of his measurements:--

Tibio-tarsus.

A. grandidieri. A. hildebrandti. Length 640 mm. 480 mm. Breadth at proximal end 190 " 130 " Breadth at distal end 135 " 82 "