STRUTHIOXin.^^:. 



421 



SUB-FAMTLY III. 



Apterygin^. 



The Kivis. 



Gex. Chahac. — Bill lengthened, very slender, the base covered by along cere, 

 broad, and rather depressed, with the tip hanging over that of the lower 

 mandible ; the nostrils placed at the tip, small and sublinear. 



Fig. Ib9. — the new Zealand aptebtx. 

 (Apteryx Australis ) 



The birds wliicli constitute this family are distin- 

 guished from the Ostriches by the shortness of their 

 legs, and the presence of a short hind toe armed 

 with a strong claw on each foot. A further dis- 

 tinction is afforded by the form of the bill, which is 

 elongated, nearly cylindrical, and slightly curved. 

 The nostrils are situated quite at the tip of the upper 

 mandible. The wings are rudimentary, and com- 

 pletely concealed beneath the feathers of the body. 



