II DINORNITHIDAE 41 
the head. Grubs, beetles, molluses, and berries are also eaten, 
with grit or pebbles as digestives. The loud whistling note, 
which gives the name to the Kiwi, is chiefly heard on hght 
nights, that of the female being shorter, and the young uttering 
a chuckling or kitten-like cry. Growls are emitted by the birds 
when disturbed, and they have a curious way of yawning in the 
daytime. The nest is usually in an enlarged space at the end 
of a round tunnel in the soft earth, said to be made by the 
female alone, the opening being under a tree-root, a stone, or a 
tussock of grass; it consists merely of a little dry fern, herbage, 
or a few leaves. The eggs—generally two in number, though 
one is often found, and three are recorded—are enormous for the 
size of the bird, and are equal to a quarter of its weight; they 
are pure white, or slightly green in hue, with a smooth surface, 
recalling by their appearance those of the Whooper. The 
Maories are very fond of the flesh, either roasted or boiled, 
and hunt Kiwis systematically with muzzled dogs, while of old 
the chiefs utilised the plumage for ornamentation. The cock 
performs most, if not all, of the duties of incubation, and attends 
upon the young. Females lay in captivity, but no chicks appear 
to have been hatched as yet under these conditions. 
V. DINORNITHES. 
The Family Dinornithidae contains those well-known extinct 
New Zealand forms the Moas, as they are supposed to have been 
denominated by the Maories, some of which were of gigantic size. 
The larger species must have been comparatively rare, judging 
by the fossils obtained, while some seem to have survived until 
about four or five hundred years ago, or even a century later in 
the South Island. Being flightless, these birds were easily slaugh- 
tered by the natives, who were very fond of the flesh, and cap- 
tured them when exhausted by repeated spear-wounds, after they 
had been driven from their retreats by burning the grass and vege- 
tation. It was not until the year 1839 that a femur-shaft was 
exhibited by Owen to the Zoological Society of London, that being 
the first portion of a Moa known to have reached this country ; but 
since the above date an immense quantity of bones of all descrip- 
tions have been procured in many parts of both the North and 
the South Islands, some hidden under the sand or exposed upon 
