148 ANIMALS OF THE PAST 
haps it is not to be wondered at that the bird — 
lays but two. : 
Although most of the eggs a these big 
birds that have been found have literally been — 
unearthed from the muck of swamps, now and 
then one comes to light in a more interesting — 
manner as, for example, when a perfect egg of — 
Aipyornis was found afloat after a hurricane, 
bobbing serenely up and down with the waves — 
near St. Augustine’s Bay, or when an egg of — 
the Moa was exhumed from an ancient Maori — 
grave, where for years it had lain unharmed, ~ 
safely clasped between the skeleton fingers of — 
the occupant. So far very few of these huge — 
eggs have made their way to this country, and — 
the only egg of Aipyornis now on this side of 
the water is the property of a private individual. _ 
Most recent in point of discovery, but oldest — 
in point of time, are the giant birds from Pata- — 
gonia, which are burdened with the name of — 
Phororhacide, a name that originated in an ~ 
error, although the error may well be excused. _ 
The first fragment of one of these great birds — 
to come to. light was a portion of the lower ~ 
jaw, and’ this was so massive, so un-bird-like, 
