ArTKKYIilD.K. 



003 



Order IV. APTERYGES. 



Hallux present ; four toes with long nails. 



Eill long, somewhat arched, the nostrils near the tip. 



Maxillo-palatincs as in Casuuni, but vomer fused with palatines 

 and pterygoids. 



Procoracoid process rudimentary. No clavicles. Tibia with long 

 bony bridge over extensor tendons. 



Wings extremely aborted. 



No distinct quills or tail-feathers. 



Aftershat't absent. 



Ceeca large. 



New Zealand. 



The Apteryges, or Kiwis, are the smallest of the Ratitne, their 

 size exceeding sometimes tliat of a large fowl. The bill is long and 

 slender, with the base covered by a hard cere, broad and rather 

 depressed ; the culmen rounded, very little curved to near the tip, 

 which projects over that of the lower mandible, and is rather 

 obtuse, the sides gradually compressed, and grooved towards the 

 end ; the gonys very long and slightly curved ; the nostrils placed 

 on each side at the tip, very small and sublinear ; the base of the 

 bill furnished with lengthened hairs. Wings rudimentary and 

 covered with feathers. Tail not apparent. Tarsi the length of the 

 middle toe, very robust and covered with variously sized scutes, 

 those in front of the lower jjart the largest and transverse. Toes 

 three before, with the lateral ones equal, and all covered above 

 with broad scutes ; the hind toe very short ; claws long, strong, and 

 rather acute. 



Only one family. 



Family APTERYGID.E. 



1. APTERYX. 



Type. 

 Apteryx, Shaw, ?sat. Mine. xxiv. pi. 1057 (1813) .... A. australis. 

 Apternyx, Sic. Clnss. B. ii. p. 346 (1837) ( = Apteryx). 



licuuje. Confined to New Zealand. 



Kei/ to the Species. 



a. General plumage brown, the feafhers of tlie upper 

 parts fulvous along the central apical part, and 

 striped with dark brown or blackish on the 

 lateral edjjes. 



