74 MR. W. YARRELL’S DESCRIPTION OF APTERYX AUSTRALIS. 
inner and outer toes on each side are equal, and measure 1 inch and three eighths, the 
claws very nearly as large and as long as that of the middle toe. 
On their upper surface these toes are covered with a series of broad imbricated 
scales, arranged in succession transversely; the under surface is defended by very 
small reticulated scales, and the lateral linear junction of these two coverings is marked 
by a well defined, but slightly prominent ridge, which appears to have been mistaken 
for the remains of an interdigital connecting membrane. 
The claws are slightly curved, and taper gradually to a point ; those of the middle toes 
are convex above, concave beneath ; those of the inner and outer toes are also convex 
above, but the worn edges of the under sides give them a convex form beneath also, 
and they resemble a spur, curved downwards. The hind toe is placed on the inner 
flattened surface of the tarsus; it is directed backwards, and almost perpendicularly 
downwards. The connecting bones are articulated so high up on the tarsus, that the 
extreme point of the claw scarcely reaches the ground. The whole length of the hind 
toe is but 1 inch and an eighth, of which the claw measures three quarters of an inch. 
In form it is nearly straight, round, tapering and pointed, and has much more the 
appearance of the spur of a Gallinaceous bird than the claw of a hind toe. The tarsi 
and toes are yellowish brown, all the claws of a shining whitish horn colour. 
The decided rasorial nature of the legs and feet, with the very elongated form of 
beak common to a different order of birds, thus combined in the Apteryx, present con- 
siderations of the highest interest to the ornithologist ; and it is to be regretted that 
little or nothing is known of the habits of a bird possessing parts and peculiarities of 
such distinct and different character. Its short legs and divided toes prevent progres- 
sion in water, and equally deny compensation for the want of the power of flight : it is 
obvious that it possesses no efficient means either of escape or defence. Its food is un- 
known ; but Col. Sykes having found beetles, grasshoppers, worms, seeds, and vege- 
table fibres in the stomachs of some of the Indian species of Ibis, I am induced to con- 
jecture that the food of the Apteryzx is probably similar, or perhaps even still more ex- 
clusively insectorial. 
No public or private collection is understood to possess another specimen of this sin- 
gular bird; and it might reasonably be expected that so defenceless an animal must 
soon fall, even to extermination, when assailed by powerful and ingenious enemies. 
The accounts, however, of several travellers furnish interesting information on this 
subject, from which future success may yet be confidently anticipated. 
M. Lesson, in his account of the ‘ Voyage de la Coquille,’ Zoologie, (tom. i. p. 418.) 
printed in 1828, has the following notice :— 
“Les naturels [of the Bay of Islands] nous parlérent fort souvent d’un oiseau sans 
ailes, dont ils apportérent des débris, qui nous parurent étre celles d’un Emiou ; 
M. Kendal nous confirma cette pensée en nous aflfirmant l’existence de casoars ana- 
