Kagu name "Rhynochetos", and the clade name Rhynochetidae, are derived from the Greek "rhis" meaning nose and "chetos" meaning corn, referring to the corn-shaped flaps over the nostrils. The specific name "jubatus" is derived from the Latin "iabatus" meaning crested. The name kagu is derived from the Melanesian names for the species. The species is variously known as the "kavu" or "kagou" in the Kanak languages, and as the "cagou" in French (also used as an alternative spelling in English). The kagu is a ground-living bird, in length. The weight can vary considerably by individual and by season, ranging from .
Creature template Edition game's Dungeon Master's Guide, which features tables to aid in the "random generation of creatures from the lower planes". Subsequent other First Edition handbooks, notably the Monster Manual II, as well as Dragon Magazine, featured additional early monster generation templates. Creature template In the "Dungeons & Dragons" game, a template can be applied to a creature to enhance its abilities or to even create a new type of creature. Templates can be either acquired or inherited. An acquired template can be applied to a creature at any point (assuming it meets the prerequisites for the template), while an inherited