108 PETKIFACTIONS AND THEIR TEACHINGS. CHAP. II. 



The third species, (named Ap. Mantelli by Mr. Bartlett), 1 

 though not abundant, and asserted to be rapidly decreasing 

 from the destruction occasioned by the native hunters, and 

 yet more from the ravages of the wild cats, still exists in con- 

 siderable numbers in the impenetrable thickets of fern in the 

 unfrequented districts of the North Island. Thirty or forty 

 skins are said to have been imported to England last year, 

 and distributed among the museums of Europe and America. 

 In the Zoological Gallery of the British Museum, there are 

 several examples of this bird ; and one specimen of the 

 smallest species, which was obtained by Mr. Walter Mantell in 

 the Middle Island. 2 Many fossil bones of the existing species 

 of Apteryx were discovered by my son at Waingongoro. 3 



These observations on the living representatives of the 

 Struthionidge of New Zealand, will prepare us for the exami- 

 nation of the fossil remains of the extinct giants of their class, 

 contained in the cases in Room II. 



DINORNIS. Wall-Case B. Table-Case 16. Lign. 26, 27. 

 The name Moa is applied indiscriminately by the New Zea- 

 landers to all the bones of a large size, though belonging to 

 birds of very different stature and configuration. The 

 scientific term Dinornis (indicating the prodigious gigantic 



1 Apteryx Mantelli. "Mr. Bartlett 8 exhibited a series of stuffed 

 specimens of the genus Apteryx, including the original bird figured by 

 Dr. Shaw, which was lent by the Earl of Derby for this purpose. The 

 result of Mr. Bartlett's investigation goes to prove that the Apteryx in 

 the possession of Lord Derby was unique until the arrival of the specimen 

 exhibited to the Society, and which was obtained by Mr. Walter Mantell 

 in Dusky Bay, and is now in his father's collection. The species which 

 is commonly seen in museums, and has hitherto been confounded with 

 the original Apteryx Aiistralis of Dr. Shaw, is in reality distinct, and 

 consequently without a specific designation ; Mr. Bartlett, after entering 

 fully into the consideration of the distinctive characters of this species, 

 proposed to name it Apteryx Mantelli, in honour of the young naturalist 

 whose researches had enabled the error to be detected." Proceedings of 

 the Zoological Society of London, December 10, 1850. 



2 On the structure of the Apteryx, see Professor Owen's Memoirs in 

 the " Zoological Transactions." 



3 Apteryx Owenii and Ap. Mantelli, are figured and described by 

 Mr. Gould in his splendid work on the " Birds of Australia ;" the latter 

 species under the name of A. Australia. 



a Mr. Bartlett is the eminent taxidermist of No. 23, Great College 

 Street, Camden Town; to whom I entrusted the skins of Notornis, 

 Apteryx, &c. to be stuffed and mounted. 



