190 



CHARACTERS OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS 



extend down to the ankle-joints of the legs, which -are characterized 

 by the further feature that the innermost toe bears a claw twice as 

 long as those on the other toes. 



Unlike the other ostrich-like birds, they inhabit forest-regions. 

 The nesting habits, so far as known, resemble those of the emeu. 



The Kiwis {Apteryx) (fig. 129) are New Zealand birds of 

 remarkable appearance, and much smaller than the preceding 



forms, being about 

 the size of a hen. 

 The reduction of 

 wings and tail is 

 greater than in the 

 other running birds, 

 and their plumage is 

 more hair-like, pecu- 

 liarities which confer 

 a certain grotesque 

 resemblance to a man 

 with his hands in his 

 pockets. Two marked 

 characters at once 

 distinguish them from 

 the ostrich-like forms 

 of the same group. One is the slender snipe-like beak at the 

 end of which the nostrils are situated. The other is found in 

 the presence of the first toe. The legs are very strong, and 

 all four toes are provided with powerful claws. At the base of 

 the beak are a number of long whisker-like feathers. Kiwis are 

 nocturnal birds, and resemble the emeu and cassowary in their 

 nesting habits. The cream-coloured eggs are of relatively enor- 

 mous size, being about 5 inches in length. 



Fig. 129. — Kiwi {Apteryx) 



