Page:Rothschild Extinct Birds.djvu/257

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223



AEPYORNISGEOFF.

Characters same as those of the family; but in opposition to Mullerornis the species are very heavy, ponderous, and clumsy, the bones being both actually and comparatively much stouter. Differs from Flacourtia in not having an ossified boney bridge over lower end of groove for adductor of outer digit.

Type: Aepyornis maximus Geoff.

Number of species: 9.



AEPYORNIS TITANANDR.

Aepyornis titan Andrews, Geol. Mag. 1895, p. 303.

This appears to be the largest species of the genus, though Ae. maximus is considerably stouter. In the original description of Ae. ingens, however, the tibio-tarsi referred to that species are really those of Ae. titan:—

Smallest Femur.
Length about 430 mm.
Circumference, narrowest point 280 "
Width, distal end 190 "
Width of shaft at narrowest part 97 "
Largest Femur.
Length 470 mm.
Circumference at narrowest point 280 "
Width, distal end 210 "
Distal part of tibio-tarsus.
Width at distal end 180 mm.
Width of shaft at narrowest point 77 "
Circumference of shaft at narrowest point 210 "
Tarso-metatarsus.
Length 480 mm.
Width at proximal end 190 "
Width at distal end 165 "
Width at narrowest point of shaft 80 "
Circumference at narrowest point of shaft 200 "