PROFESSOR OWEN ON THE GENUS DINORNIS. 67 



cranium of the Notornis described in my previous Memoir, the present specimen agrees 

 with it: the part conjecturally restored in my former figure' is shown by the present 

 specimen to be correct as to extent. 



The number of skulls of full-grown large terrestrial birds of New Zealand that have 

 now been described, clearly indicate at least four species, independently of the one with 

 the remarkable occiput, referred to Dinornis proper in my former Memoir, and also of 

 that on which the genus Notornis was founded. The rich development of the wingless 

 family of birds, not in individual magnitude only, but in the number of species, thus 

 progressively receives additional illustration. Owing, however, to the remains of these 

 great birds reaching England for the most part in a detached or disconnected state,- - 

 few portions of the skeleton of one and the same bird having yet been discovered in 

 juxtaposition, or so transmitted to this country, and not any specimen, so far as I can 

 learn, having been found with the head, — the skull can only be restored to the other 

 parts of the skeleton of species already described, conjecturally ; and much remains to 

 be done before such conjectures can acquire a degree of certainty. That, however, which 

 is mainly necessary to be done, is to record with accuracy and depict with fidehty the 

 several materials for the reconstruction of these apparently extinct species of large wing- 

 less birds as they from time to time reach this country : and the desired result will 

 without doubt in time be gained. 



' Zool. Trans, vol. iii. pi. 56. 



VOL. IV. — PART II. M 



