346 



CLASSIFICATION- OF VERTEBRATES. 



Rhea americana, the feathers of which are familiar in feather dusters. 

 The CASUARID.E of the Oriental region have three toes and a helmet-like 

 development on the head. The family contains the emeus {Dromaiiis) and 

 the cassowaries (Casuarius) . A fourth family, the DINORNITHID^E, the 

 extinct moas of Australia and New Zealand, were birds of gigantic size. 



SECTION. II. ^PIORNITHES. Extinct ratite birds of large size, 

 formerly inhabiting Madagascar. 



FIG. 338. South American Ostrich, Rhea americana, from Liitken. 



SECTION III. APTERYGES. Dromaeognathous ratite birds with 

 rudimentary wings ; no clavicle ; four toes ; vomer united to palatines and 

 pterygoids ; bill long, nostrils near the tip. Four existing species of kiwi, 

 belonging to the genus Apteryx, inhabit New Zealand. 



SECTION IV. CRYPTURI. Dromaeognathous carinate birds with 

 clavicle and functional wings. About 50 species from Central and South 

 America. Crypturns, Rhynchotus, Tinanius. 



SECTION V. GASTORNITHES. Extinct carinate birds from the 

 eocene of France and Belgium. Gastornis. ? Diatryma from New 

 Mexico. 



