Order III. DINORNITHIFORMES. 



Family Dinormthid.t:. ^Ioas. 



Tsiu Zealand was formerly inhabited by a gigantic race oC birds l*-"*'- 

 callcd Jloas, some species of which considerably exceeded in size the 

 modern Ostriclies. Tlie situation and state of preservation of tiie 

 abundant remains whicii have been found indicate that they existed till 

 compiuatively recent times, and \\erc probably cxtermiuatcd by the 

 present ^laori inhabitants of the islands. Feathers which have been 

 found associated with the bones show tlic presence of a large after- 

 shaft, as in the Emus and Cassowaries ; but some of the species 

 resemble the Kiwis [Ajitcn/x) in possessing a hind toe. Wings were 

 aljscnt, and the shoulder-girdle was only I'epresented by a vestige. 



The ^Moas are represented by several genera, the largest memijer 

 being D'niornis max'nnmi (1), a gigantic bird, of whicli a skeleton is 

 exhibited. Some of the species seem to have survived until about four 

 or five hundred years ago, or even later iu the South Island, but being 

 flightless, their extinction by the natives, who hunted them for their 

 flesh, was an easy task. 



Besides large quantities of bones, some of which liave been obtained 

 from native cooking-places, portions of the skin and feathers have 

 been discovered, as well as pebbles used to aid digestion, and eggs both 

 whole and fragmentary. For further particulars the visitor is referred 

 to the eighth edition of tlie Geological Guide, p. 92 (IQOJ'). 



Order IV. .EPYORNITHIFORMES. 



Family ^*Epyorn"ithid.i,. Madagascar ]\Ioas. 

 Fossil remains from superficial deposits iu Madagascar show the < 



existence, in a very recent geological period, of several species of Ratite 

 birds, whicli bear much resemblance to the DinornitliicUe. One of their 

 most striking characteristics was the enormous size (both absolute and 

 relative) of the egg, in which respect they resemble the Kiwis {Apteryx) 

 of New Zealand rather than the Moas. Although the largest species 

 probably stood not more than " feet higli, the eggs exceed all others in 

 size, some of the shells of ^Epi/ornis max'nniis (8) containing from two 

 to three gallons of liquid, or an amount equal to the contents of about 

 one hundred and fifty hen's eggs. An example exhibited measures : — 

 long ciicumference 2 ft. 7 ins., girth 2 ft. 2 ins. These birds are 

 believed by manj* to be identical with the famous " Roc " mentioned 

 l)y the traveller IMarco Polo, and it is supposed that some of the 

 species were in existence not more than two hundred years ago. 

 ICf. Geological Guide, p. 92 (1901).] 



