MOAS, 1] 
Order III. DINORNITHIFORMES. 
Family Dinornituip®. Moas. 
New Zealand was formerly inhabited by a gigantic race of birds 
called Moas, some species of which considerably exceeded in size the 
modern Ostriches. The situation and state of preservation of the 
abundant remains which have been found indicate that they existed till 
comparatively recent times, and were probably exterminated by the 
present Maori inhabitants of the islands. Feathers which have been 
found associated with the bones show the presence of a large after- 
shaft, as in the Emus and Cassowaries; but some of the species 
resemble the Kiwis (Apteryx) in possessing a hind toe. Wings were 
absent, and the shoulder-girdle was only represented by a vestige. 
The Moas are represented by several genera, the largest member 
being Dinornis maximus (1), a gigantic bird, of which a skeleton is 
exhibited. Some of the species seem to have survived until about four 
or five hundred years ago, or even later in 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 have 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 ninth edition of the “ Guide to the Fossil Mammals and Birds,” 
p- 92 (1909). 
Order [V. AAPYORNITHIFORMES. 
Family AlpyornirnHip®. Mapbacascar Moas. 
Fossil remains from superficial deposits im Madagascar show the 
existence, in a very recent geological period, of several species of Ratite 
birds, which bear much resemblance to the Dinornithide. One of their 
most striking characteristics was the enormous size (both absolute and 
relative) of the egg, in which respect they resemble the Kiwis (Apteryz) 
of New Zealand rather than the Moas. ‘The largest species, dipyornis 
titan (8), of which a cast of the leg is exhibited, stood about 10 feet 
high, and its eggs exceed all others in size, some of the shells 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 circumference 2 ft. 9 ins., girth 2 ft. 5 ims. These 
birds are believed by many to be identical with the famous “ Roc” 
mentioned by the traveller Marco Polo, and it is supposed that some of 
the species were in existence not more than two hundred years ago. 
[Cf. Fossil Guide, p. 92 (1909).] 
[Case 3.] 
[Case 3.] 
