CorExso.—On the Moa. 75 
reference to the family of Struthionida), that it would be morally impossible 
to fit such heavy bodies with wings sufficient to enable them to fly.* In 
the latter, however (the Gallinaceous or Rasorial Order), we have the 
largest and stoutest birds known. ‘These, too, are terrestrial in their 
habits, some exclusively so, and very often possess only three toes. It is 
true that in general the different known members of the family containing 
the largest birds have their tarsi long (whereas those of the Moa, as we have 
already seen, are short). Yet to this we have exceptions in the extinct 
Dodo and the Apteryx; and I think it is highly worthy of notice, that the 
latter, the only known existing genus of the family EE short tarsi, 
is entirely confined to these islands. 
From a conviction, then, that it is in this order only = the affinities 
of the Moa are to be sought with any prospect of success, and that it is in 
the family Struthionide where they will doubtless eventually be found, we 
are induced, for the present at least, to place the Moa in that gigantic 
group. In the absence, however, of a specimen of an Apteryz,t with which 
to compare the few bones we at present possess of the Moa, I should, I 
confess, be hazarding an opinion in saying that it was most nearly allied to 
that peculiar genus; yet when we consider that out of the five existing 
genera of this family, three at least, apparently possessing the nearest 
affinities to the remains of the bird before us, belong exclusively to the 
southernmost parts of the southern hemisphere,] and that a connecting link 
is, as it were, wanting between the Rhea of the Straits of Magellan, the 
Dromiceius of New Holland, the Casuarius of the Indian Archipelago, and 
the Apteryx of New Zealand, and that this connecting link may, in all pro- 
bability, be supplied in the Moa, I think we shall be constrained to assign 
our Moa a place between the genera Casuarius and Apteryx, possessing as 
it does (only in a much greater degree) the immense size and strength of 
the former, combined with the short tarsi, and probably wingless structure, 
of the latter. 
I venture, however, to suppose, that we may gain an additional gleam 
of light, both upon the probable period at which the Moa existed, and also 
* The Baron’s words are :—‘ It appears as if all the muscular power which is at the 
command of nature would be insufficient to move such immense wings as would be re- 
quired to support their massive bodies in the air." (Régne Animal, Class Aves, Ord. V., 
Fam. 1.) If such were the spontaneous remarks made by that illustrious naturalist, on 
contemplating the size of the known members of that family, what would he not have 
said had he but lived to examine the colossal structure of the Moa ! 
+ It has been my good fortune to have at different times several specimens of the 
Apteryx in my possession; at present, however, I have not one, nor do I know in 
whose possession one is to be found in New 
1 See Note E, ipp E 
