CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 7. GRALLATORES, 
273 
interest ; found in New Zealand, that strange land which is said to have but two indigenous quad- 
rupeds — a rat and a badger — but which produces several very original and remarkable birds. 
We have already spoken of the Diornis giganteus of this island, nearly twice as large as the ostrich. 
The bones of this, as well as of some smaller species, had been found, but they were sup- 
posed to be extinct. In 1849, however, a party of seal-hunters, who were pursuing their avo- 
cations in Dusky Bay, having observed the trail of a bii-d in the snow with which the ground was 
then covered, determined to give chase. Proceeding in the direction of the footsteps, they at 
at last caught sight of the object of their pursuit. Their dogs gave chase, and finally, after a 
long hunt, the bird was captured alive, in the gully of a sound behind Resolution Island. It ran 
with great speed, uttered loud cries, and violently attacked the dogs. But, notwithstanding the 
long struggle, it was caught uninjured and taken on board ship, where, after having been kept 
alive for three days, it was at length killed and eaten, the sailors who partook of the meal de- 
scribing the bird as most delicious food. Fortunatelj^, these nautical epicures, who certainly were 
no great naturalists, did not pluck their bird, but skinned it, and Mr. Walter Mantcll, son of 
the celebrated geologist. Dr. Mantell, being there, procured it, and thus we have a tolerably cor- 
rect account of the bird. It was evidently a species of Rail, somewhat larger than a common 
fowl ; the head, neck, breast, and flanks were of a brilliant purple ; the back of a dark olive. It 
could not fly, but ran with great swiftness. This proved to be one of the smaller species above 
referred to, and received the name of JVotornis MantelU. 
Probably the race is nearly extinct. ISTay, Dr. Mantell believed this bird to be the last of its 
tribe. AVe are familiar with the fact that in remote eras, races have existed and have passed 
away ; but to be in at the death, as it were, of a species, is somewhat startling, and naturally sug- 
gests curious, if not painful inquiries, as to the purpose of creations which are thus left to perish. 
So far as we know, creation has ceased upon this earth ; there is no renewal of races that have 
died out, as there is no production of new ones that have never existed. We can see reasons for 
the disappearance of the iguanodon, the megatherium, the icthiosaurus and the mastodon, for they 
were gigantic and oppressive disproportions to the average of animal life ; but why a gentle and 
beautiful aud useful soecies like the notornis should be permitted to perish, is beyond the scope of 
human reason. 
THE JACANA. 
Genus PARRA : Parra. — To tnis belongs tne Jacaita, P. jacana^ which is very numerous in 
Brazil. It has the wings armed with spines; the legs are long; the body light; the toes and 
claws exceedingly large, so that the bird can run with great ease on the floating leaves of aquatic 
plants. The claw of the hind toe resembles the blade of a lancet, whence this bird is called 
the surgeon. In running upon the leaves its feet sink a little, and hence it is said to have the ap- 
pearance of Avalking on the water. Its food consists principally of vegetable substances. Other 
species are found in India and Africa. Another genus, analogous to the gallinules, is that of the 
