FLAT-BREASTED BIRDS. 235 
asingle egg being deposited, that equals one fourth the 
weight of the bird. The feet are powerful and adapted 
for scratching.* A remarkable extinct form of this class 
is the gigantic moa, of 
New Zealand (Fig. 276), 
that lived during the 
time of the Maoris. The 
largest (Dinornis gigan- 
zeus) attained a height 
of nearly ten feet. The 
limbs and bones were 
larger than those of an 
ox. The pyornis, an 
extinct bird of Mada- 
gascar, was an allied 
form, and supposed by 
many to be the roc of 
the Arabian tales. Re- 
mains of its eggs show 
one to have been equal 
to one hundred and fifty 
hen’s eggs. 
. 5 Fic. 276.—Wingless birds of New Zea- 
Ostrich (Struthio- land. The giant moa (Palapteryx) 
nida).— This family is and the tiny apteryx, The moa is no 
represented in South longer to be found alive. 
America by the Rhea 
(Rhea Americana). It is about three and a half feet in 
height, and differs from the ostrich in the possession of 
three toes. The head and neck are covered with downy 
gray feathers, those of the tail being absent. They live in 
flocks on the pampas. The male excavates the nest, and 
afterward sits upon the eggs, and, according to some au- 
thorities, collects them when they are left scattered about 
*It is a curious fact that when sleeping these birds endeavor to 
put the head under the wing, though the latter is entirely useless as 
such a protection. 
