o/ an unknown species of Bird. 87 



in girth 8 inches ! 3. The tai^sus (a small one), nearly perfect, 

 measures in length 10 inches, and in girth at one end 9 inches, 

 and at the opposite end 8 inches, and in the smallest part 4 

 inches : this bone is comparatively very short and flat, and has 

 articulations for only three toes. 4. The portion of the bone of 

 the back and pelvis is not so perfect, being a much-broken frag- 

 ment, comprising from the upper outer edge of the acetabulum 

 of the OS innominatum to the lower joint of the dorsal vertebrae, 

 in which the canal for the medulla spinalis is perfect. This 

 bone, or rather fragment, measures, from the outer edge of 

 the reticulation of the head of the os femoris to the outer broken 

 edge of the bone (which is that portion approaching towards 

 the upper part of the bone of the pelvis), 11 inches; and across 

 the inner and smallest ])art of the bone, inmiediately beneath 

 the last of the dorsal vertebra;, where it was most })erfect, 7 

 inches: a correct idea cannot however be given of such a frag- 

 ment as this, through the medium of a written description. 

 This bone evidently chfFers very considerably from such bones in 

 other birds, in its peculiar carinated shape in that portion of it 

 which must have formed the highest part of the lumbar region ; 

 it must have been also considerably larger when entire, as the 

 whole of the upper ridge is much broken. This bone is also 

 very deeply indented with muscular impressions. 



Having thus given, it is to be feared, rather a tedious detail of 

 the Moa, and of the bones hithei-to found, little more remains, 

 at present, for the wi'iter, than deferentially to offer a few remarks 

 on the bones in question; and these suggestions which he has 

 to submit may be noticed under two general heads. First, does 

 the Moa now exist ? or, at what period of time is it probable 

 that it existed ? Secondly, to what order or family can we rea- 

 sonably suppose the Moa to belong ? 



It is very true that at this time we have but little to assist us 

 in our search ; nevertheless, let us commence and prosecute our 

 inquiry, judiciously considering such aids as may present them- 

 selves to our notice in the course of our investigation at all bear- 

 ing on the subject before us. 



Our first inquiry then will be, does the Moa now exist ? or, at 

 what period of time is it probable that it did exist ? To the first 

 of these queries I reply, that it is my opinion that the species of 

 bird whose bones we have now before us does no longer exist, 

 at least in New Zealand : a few reasons for this opinion of mine 

 I will here adduce. 



From my knowledge of the New Zealander, I can but believe 

 that there is no part of his native land which has not been trod 

 by him, at one time or other, however mountainous or dreary it 

 may be. As a proof of this, I might mention their having pro- 



