[3] Marsh, O. C. [Title on page 120.] Meleagris antiqua. Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 3, II, 1871, 126. From this I extract the following description, to wit:—
Meleagris antiquus, sp. nov.
A large Gallinaceous Bird, approaching in size the wild Turkey, and probably belonging to the same group, was a contemporary of the Oreodon and its associates during the formation of the Miocene lake deposits east of the Rocky Mountains. The species is at present represented only by a few fragments of the skeleton, but among these is a distal end of a right humerus, with the characteristic portions all preserved. The specimen agrees in its main features with the humerus of Meleagris gallopavo Linn., the most noticeable points of difference being the absence in the fossil species of the broad longitudinal ridge on the inner surface of the distal end, opposite the radial condyle, and the abrupt termination of the ulnar condyle at its outer, superior border.
Measurements
Greatest diameter of humerus at distal end 12. lines Transverse diameter of ulnar condyle 3.4 " Vertical diameter of same 4. " Transverse diameter of radial condyle 4.25 " The specimens on which this species is based were discovered by Mr. G. B. Grinnell of the Yale party, in the Miocene clay deposits of northern Colorado.
| Greatest diameter of humerus at distal end | 12. | lines |
| Transverse diameter of ulnar condyle | 3.4 | " |
| Vertical diameter of same | 4. | " |
| Transverse diameter of radial condyle | 4.25 | " |
Ibid. IV, 1878, 261. [Title on p. 256.] "Art XXX. Notice of some new Tertiary and Post-Tertiary Birds." From this article by Professor Marsh I extract the following:
Meleagris celer, sp. nov.
A much smaller species of the same genus is represented by two tibiae and the proximal half of a tarso-metatarsal, which were found together, and probably belonged to the same individual. The tibia is slender, and has the shaft less flattened from before backward than in the last species [M. altus]. The distal half of the shaft has its anterior face more distinctly polygonal. From the head of the tibia a sharp ridge descends a short distance on the posterior face, where it is met by an external ridge of similar length. The tarso-metatarsal has the external ridge of the proximal end more prominent, and the posterior tendinal crest more ossified than in the larger species. The remains preserved indicate a bird about half the bulk of M. altus.
Measurements.
Length of tibia 183. mm Greatest diameter of proximal end 34. " Transverse diameter of shaft at middle 9.6 " Transverse diameter of distal end 16.5 " Antero-posterior diameter of outer condyle 10. " Transverse diameter of proximal end of tarso-metatarsus 19. " Antero-posterior diameter 14. "
| Length of tibia | 183. | mm |
| Greatest diameter of proximal end | 34. | " |
| Transverse diameter of shaft at middle | 9.6 | " |
| Transverse diameter of distal end | 16.5 | " |
| Antero-posterior diameter of outer condyle | 10. | " |
| Transverse diameter of proximal end of tarso-metatarsus | 19. | " |
| Antero-posterior diameter | 14. | " |
On page 260 is described Meleagris altus:
Meleagris altus [Marsh]. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1870, p. 11, and Amer. Nat., Vol. IV, p. 317. (M. superbus Cope, Synopsis Extinct Batrachia etc., p. 239.)
(Followed by description and the following measurements of the fossil bones.)
| Length (approx.) of humerus | 159.5 | mm |
| Greatest diameter proximal end | 42. | " |
| Greatest diameter distal end | 33. | " |
| Length of coracoid | 122. | " |
| Transverse diameter of lower end | 37.5 | " |
| Length of femur | 150. | " |
| Transverse diameter of distal end | 31. | " |
| Length of tibia | 243. | " |
| Transverse diameter of distal end | 18. | " |
| Length of tarso-metatarsus | 176. | " |
| Transverse diameter of proximal end | 23. | " |
| Distance from proximal end to spur | 110. | " |