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A note on the King Island emu.

Scott, Herbert Hedley 1923 , 'A note on the King Island emu.' , Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania , pp. 103-107 .

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Abstract

The present note is to be regarded as being strictly
additional to the published data of Spencer and Kershaw
(1910). To recapitulate, it may be said that the authors
quoted describe Dromaeus minor in the following terms: "Size varying considerably, but always smaller than that of D. novae-hollandiae ; not exceeding that of D. peroni, but of more robust build. Tibio-tarsus rarely exceeding 330 mm., most usually from 270-320 mm., in greatest length. Tarso-metatarsus rarely exceeding 280 mm., most usually from 220-280 mm. in greatest length. Frontal region of skull dome-shaped. Length of skull from frontal suture to occiput not, or only slightly, exceeding 60 mm. Greatest width of the skull not, or only slightly, exceeding 55 mm. Habitat: King Island, Bass Strait. Now extinct."
The range of measurements here given is wide, and it must be noticed that the exact ratio between the tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus of any single bird is not stated. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that the material Spencer and Kershaw worked upon did not contain any three leg bones that were beyond all question associates — neither did they hold any two that they could be certain were parts of a single bird. In these circumstances the notes I am here putting upon record should be welcome ones, as they detail the osteology of various bones, found buried in actual position,and beyond all doubt parts of a single individual Emu

Item Type: Article
Authors/Creators:Scott, Herbert Hedley
Keywords: Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title: Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections: Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.

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