8 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



beak — a unique character. This curious position 

 enables the bird to find its prey, which consists of 

 worms and grubs. They are discovered by thrusting 

 the beak down into the soil and sniffing for the odour 

 of the desired dainties. 



While the wings of the Apteryx are reduced to 

 the merest vestiges, yet, as in the case of its relatives, 

 a large claw is retained on the tip of the only finger 

 that remains. 



Though silent by day, the Apteryx is by no means 

 so by night, giving forth piercing squeals that can 

 be heard for long distances. In this way, doubtless, 

 it finds its mate. The list of the peculiarities of the 

 Apteryx is not yet exhausted ; for it is remarkable for 

 its enormously large egg, only one of which is laid 

 in a season, and which, in proportion to the size of 

 the bird, exceeds all other eggs in bulk. Within a 

 very few years the Apteryx will probably be as ex- 

 tinct as the Dodo, owing to its destruction by stoats 

 and weasels, which have, most unwisely, been intro- 

 duced into New Zealand. 



Sometimes placed in a separate Order, but often 

 included in the Ostrich-like birds, is the Tinamou, 

 foimd only in South America. Unlike the other birds 

 described in this chapter, the Tinamou has a keeled 

 sternum, but in very many other characters it agrees 

 with them. It is Partridge-like in form, and for a 

 long time was classed among the Game-birds, whose 

 place it takes in South American countries. Sixty- 

 five species of Tinamou are recognised, varying con- 

 siderably in size. The head is small, the bill rather 

 long, the wings short and rounded, as in the Quail 



