MADAGASCAR AND NEW ZEALAND. 241 



I have examined and made collections of similar stones from various 

 birds, such as Wood-Grouse (Tetrao urogallus), Norway Blackcock, 

 Ptarmigan, tame Goose, &c. ; but no particular results present themselves. 



The general function of these stones, and their use in the gizzard of 

 the possessor, may be understood by refei'ence to the article by Mr. A. H. 

 Garrod, Prosector to the Zoological Society (P. Z. S. 1872, p. 525, with two 

 figures). He gives an explanation of the action of the gizzard, " as a simple 

 crushing-organ " which produces " a most powerful compression of the 

 contents." 



The Prosector speaks twice of " sharp-pointed stones ;" I may, how- 

 ever, remark that though doubtless some may be sharp-pointed when 

 swallowed, they quickly become rounded, and that I never took one other- 

 wise than smooth out of the gizzard of a bird. In this condition it appears 

 to me best adapted for the crushing process which is well described by the 

 Prosector, and increasing the triturating-power. 



It is not my purpose to enter into the history of the Moa. Those who 

 wish to go into the subject will doubtless read the valuable series of memoirs 

 on the various species by Professor Owen, in the ' Transactions ' of the 

 Zoological Society, and also the articles by Dr. Haast and Dr. Hector in the 

 New-Zealand ' Transactions,' to which may be added Mr. W. T. L. Travers's 

 paper on its extinction, in the same work 



There is, however, one point I would mention. Hitherto the abortion 

 of the wings of Dinornis, Jpteryx, and other New-Zealand birds has been 

 attributed to the circumstance of the non-existence of any destructive 

 mammal or great raptor in those islands. Hence, it has been said, a luxurious 

 ease was engendered, and there was no necessity for flight. 



But how is this to be reconciled with the discovery of Harpagornis 



2m 2 



