95
CENTRORNISANDREWS.
Allied to Chenalopex and Chenopis, but differs from Chenalopex in the form and proportion of its metatarsus, and from all other Anserine forms by the extreme length and slenderness of the shaft of the tibio-tarsus and the relative shortness of the fibular crest. From Chenopis it differs in several respects, and the very long fibular crest of the latter at once separates them.
CENTRORNIS MAJORIANDREWS.
- Centrornis majori Andrews, Ibis 1897, p. 344, pl. VIII.
This species was discovered by Dr. Forsyth Major and Monsieur Robert in the bed of an old lake at Sirabé, Central Madagascar, in 1896-1897. It was similar in many respects to Sarcidiornis and Chenalopex but differed in its large size and the great length of its legs. Indeed, judging from the slenderness of the metatarsus and femur and the slight degree of inflection of the lower end of the long tibia, it seems probable that this bird was ill adapted for swimming, though a good runner. The wings were long and powerful and armed with a long spur. I must refer my readers for a fuller description to Mr. Andrews, as quoted above.
The measurements are:—
| Tibia. | ||
| Length (exclusive of cnemial crest) | 213-215 | mm. |
| Width of upper articular surface | 20-21 | " |
| Width of middle of shaft | 11-11.5 | " |
| Thickness of shaft | 8.5-9 | " |
| Width of distal extremity | 20-21 | " |
| Femur. | ||
| Length | 103-107 | mm. |
| Width of proximal extremity | 25-26 | " |
| Width of distal extremity | 26 | " |
| Width of shaft | 11 | " |
