147 



APTORNIS OWEN. 



DIFFERS from Dinornis, Palapteryx and Notomis in having an articular 

 surface for a very strong hind toe, and the tarso-metatarsus of a 

 conformation more nearly resembling that found in the Dodo, but 

 shorter and thicker than in the latter. In addition, the strong calcaneal 

 process, perforated by a complete bony canal for the tendon at the back 

 part of the proximal end of the tarso-metatarsus ; the perforation above the 

 interspace between the condyles for the middle and outer toes; and the more 

 posterior position for the condyle for the inner toe all prove the distinctness 

 of this genus. 



Type: Aptornis otidiformis. 



APTORNIS OTIDIFORMIS (OWEN). 



Dinornis otidifprmis Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. Ill, p. 247, pis. XXV and XXVI, fig. 5 (1844). 

 Aptornis otidiformis Owen, ibidem p. 347 (1848). 



THIS is the North Island form, and I must refer my readers to 

 Owen's description, only remarking that Mr. Hamilton, Trans. N.Z. 

 Inst. XXIV, p. 179, says the vertebrae assigned by Owen to Cnemiornis 

 all belong to Aptornis. 



Locality of type tibia: Poverty Bay, North Island, New Zealand; 

 collected by Rev. Wm. Williams in 1842. 



