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Show 1899.] TEMPERATURE OF THE RATITE BIRDS. 789 of the three specimens now in the Gardens, and I wish to place on record in the ' Proceedings' of the Society that the Apteryx is the lowest in temperature of all birds, so far as yet has been recorded. The following were the rectal readings :- Mantell's Apteryx, male, 37°*4. „ „ young male, 380,2. Haast's Apteryx, male, 38°*1. The average is 37°*9 C. (100°-2 F.). Next to the Apteryx in rank comes the Order Casuarii, comprising the Emus and the Cassowaries. Of the former I secured the temperature some years ago in Melbourne, through the kind assistance of m y friend Mr. Ernest Le Souef. The two specimens on which observations were made stood at almost the same level, 39° C. (102°*2 F.). I was very anxious to see how the temperature of the Cassowaries compared with this. The Hon. Walter Bothschild very readily and cordially granted me permission to make observations on three specimens which belong to him in the Society's Gardens. The largest (Casuarius intensus), a species, I believe, newly named by Mr. Bothschild, showed a temperature of 38°*8 C. The bird of medium size (C. beccarii) was at 39°*2 C.; and the smallest, the specific name of which, on account of its immaturity, had not been determined, indicated 39°. The average of the three was 39° C. (102°-2 F.), which is identical with that of the Emu. For the Order which stands next (Struthiones), observations are as yet wanting, except two on the Ostrich, which are inconsistent and, as I think, not to be relied on. But I have been more interested in going a step higher, out of the sub-class of the Batitse into the great sub-class of birds in general, called by Huxley the Carinatse. The lowest order of the Carinatse consists of the Crypturi, for which there existed no temperature records. By the courtesy of Mr. Bartlett, I was able to make observations on those in the Gardens and found a very decided step in advance. Eufous Tinamou. 40°*8 C. Spotted Tinamou. 39°*2 C. „ „ Another specimen. 41°*3 C. „ „ Third specimen. 41°-1 C. These give an average of 40°*6 C. (105° F.), which brings them up to the lower limit of the range of temperatures usual for Anseres, Grallae, and Gallinse. For instance, in the case of fowls, I found that, over a long series of observation, their temperature, when they were lifted quietly off their perches by night, was on the average just at that level, 40°*6 C , but when lifted by day from the nests whereon they sat brooding their temperature averaged 41°-7 C. (107° F.). There is another decided advance when we cross over among P R O C . ZOOL. Soc-1899, No. LI. 51 |