_Aepyornis medius_ Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, Ann. Sci. Nat. ser. V,
vol. XII, p. 179 (1869).
_Aepyornis medius_ Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, Rech. Faune. Orn. Et.
Masc. & Mad. (1866-73), p. 97, note 2.
This form was founded on a femur found at Amboulitsate in W. Madagascar,
and is described as follows: "It presents the same general characters, and
evidently belongs to an _Aepyornis_, but to a different species, which we
will call _Aepyornis medius_. The femur in question is not only
distinguished by its lesser proportions but by the narrower external face
of the bone; which variation results in causing the whole area between the
trochanter and the base of the femoral neck to be much less depressed. The
intermuscular line, which marks the insertion surface of the deep portion
of the femoral triceps muscle, is hardly indicated, whereas it is very
pronounced in the larger femur. The posterior side is also more rounded,
and the distance which separates the popliteal depression from the proximal
extremity is larger; the shape of this large depression is, however, the
same as in the larger femur, and although the articular surfaces above it
do show some differences, we know that these characters are not very
reliable as they are subject to individual variations.