Prof. Owen on the Dinornis elephantopus. 175 



proximal end of the first phalanx of the outer toe presents the like 

 diflference : the general form of that articular surface is less triangu- 

 lar and more oval in both the specified phalanges of the Dinornis 

 elephantopus, one, the under side, being indented as usual in the 

 proximal phalanges of the inner and outer toes. 



The modifications in the other phalanges, besides those of size and 

 proportion, are not greater or other than might be expected in dif- 

 ferent species of the same genus. 



The first evidence of the Dinornis crassus reached mc from a tur- 

 bary deposit at Waikawaite, in the Middle Island ; it formed part of 

 the collection made there by Mr. Earl. I have never received any 

 evidence of the species from the North Island. 



In like manner the bones of the much larger bird, which I have 

 called Dinornis robustus, and which I was formerly inclined to regard 

 as a variety of the Dinornis giganteus, appear to be peculiar to the 

 Middle Island ; or at least have not hitherto been found in any 

 locality of the North Island. 



The richer series of illustrations of both the Dinornis robustus and 

 Dinornis crassus in the collection of Mr. Walter Mantell are from 

 localities in the Middle Island ; and the abundant illustrations of the 

 Dinornis elephantopus are exclusively from one locality in that island ; 

 they were obtained at Ruamoa, three miles south of Oamaru Point, 

 or that called the ' Vast Rocky Head ' in the new Admiralty map. 

 This fact might give rise to the idea that the original range or locality 

 of the Dinornis elephantojnts had been a restricted one, unless, at 

 the period when the species flourished, the geographical extent of the 

 Middle Island was widely different from what it now is. Yet Mr. 

 W. Mantell has obtained strong, if not unequivocal evidence, that the 

 Dinornis elephantopus and Dinornis crassus existed contempora- 

 neously with Maori natives. The bones described in the foregoing 

 pages are in a recent and most perfect condition. They retain the 

 usual proportion of animal matter and have undergone no mineral 

 change. 



From the sum of our present information respecting the localities of 

 the several species of Dinornif hides, we may infer that most, if not all, 

 the species of the North Island were distinct from those of the South 

 Island. To birds that could neither fly nor swim — at least swim well, 

 — the channel called Cook's Straits would prove an eff'ectual 'bar to 

 any migration from one island to another. With each successive 

 addition of materials for a complete history of this most remarkable 

 family of birds, I feel, however, chiefly impressed with the con- 

 viction of how little comparatively we still know respecting them, 

 and how much more is likely, through the enlightened co-operation 

 of active, resolute, and accomplished explorers, like Mr. Walter 

 Mantell, to be, hereafter, contributed towards a perfect history of the 

 New Zealand wingless birds. 



Of the very remarkable species of Dinornis based upon the 

 powerfully developed limbs, the bones of which are described in 

 the foregoing pages, Mr. IMantell's collection includes right and left 

 femora, right and left tibi«e, right and left fibulae, right and left 



