6OO MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



ing more than about six feet in height, was of an even more 

 ponderous construction " the framework of the skeleton being 

 the most massive of any in the whole class of Birds," whilst 

 ''the toe-bones almost rival those of the Elephant" (Owen). 

 The feet in Dinornis were furnished with three toes, and are of 

 interest as presenting us with an undoubted bird big enough 

 to produce the largest of the footprints of the Triassic Sand- 

 stones of Connecticut. New Zealand has now been so far 

 explored, that it seems questionable if it can retain in its re- 

 cesses any living example of Dinornis ; but it is certain that 

 species of this genus were alive during the human period, and 

 survived up to quite a recent date. Not only are the bones 

 very numerous in certain localities, but they are found in the 

 most recent and superficial deposits, and they still contain a 

 considerable proportion of animal matter ; whilst in some in- 

 stances bones have been found with the feathers attached, or 

 with the horny skin of the legs still adhering to them. Charred 

 bones have been found in connection with native " ovens ; " 

 and the traditions of the Maories contain circumstantial accounts 

 of gigantic wingless Birds, the " Moas," which were hunted both 

 for their flesh and their plumage. 



In Madagascar, bones have been discovered of a bird as 

 large as, or larger than, the Dinornis giganteus, which has been 

 described under the name of the ALpiornis maximus. With 

 the bones have been found eggs measuring from thirteen to 

 fourteen inches in diameter, and computed to be as big as 

 three ostrich-eggs, or one hundred and forty-eight hen's eggs. 

 Though generally referred to the Cursores, ALpiornis has been 

 sometimes regarded as a gigantic member of the Raptores. 



Lastly, the Post-tertiary deposits of Australia have yielded 

 the remains of an extinct Struthious bird allied to the Emeu, 

 which has been described under the name of Dromaomis. 



CHAPTER LXV. 



SUB-CLASS II. CARINAT&. 



NATATORES, GRALLATORES, AND RASORES. 



ORDER I. NATATORES (Palmipedes}. The order of the 

 Natatorts, or Swimmers, comprises a number of Birds which 

 are as much or even more at home in the water than upon 



