234 
AVES. 
in New Zealand, where some bones of it have been found, and a tradition of its destruction is preserved by the 
inhabitants.] 
N. B.— We cannot with propriety admit into this series, species so little known, or so ill-authenti- 
cated, as those which compose the genus of 
Dodos {Didus, Lin.), — 
The first species of which (D. ineptus) is only known from the description of it by the early Dutch navigators, 
preserved in Clusius {Exot. p. 99), and by an oil-paint- 
ing, of the same epoch, copied by Edwards, pi. 294 ; for 
the description by Herbert is puerile, and all the rest 
are copied from Clusius and Edwards. It seems that 
the species has entirely disappeared, for at the present 
time there is only a foot of it extant in the British Mu- 
seum, and an ill-preserved head in the Ashmolean Mu- 
seum at Oxford. The beak appears to be not without 
some resemblance to that of the Awks, and the foot 
would resemble that of the Penguins, had it been pal- 
mated. [Since this was written, the author personally 
examined these last precious remains of the now extinct 
Dodo, and was not merely satisfied of their validity and 
total generic distinctness, but expressed an opinion 
that the foot also preserved at Oxford was specifically 
different from that in the British Museum.] 
The second species (D, soliiarius) rests on the sole 
testimony of Leguat {Voy. i. p. 98), a man who has mis- 
represented well-known species of animals, as the Hip- 
popotamus and Manati. 
The third, or Bird of Nazareth (D. nazarenus), is 
Figr. 115.— The Dodo. ^nown from the account of Frangois Carechi, who 
considers it the same as the first species, giving it however but three toes, while all the others allow that bird to 
have four. No one has been able to inspect any of these birds since the time of those voyagers. 
The Apteryx, Shaw, — 
Appears, of all Birds, to have the wings most completely reduced to simple rudiments. Its general 
form is that of a Penguin, and size that of a Goose. The feet also bear some resemblance to those of 
the Penguins, but are not described to be palmated. The beak is very long, slender, marked on each 
side with a longitudinal groove, and furnished 
with a membrane at its base : [the nostrils are 
placed at the top of the upper mandible be- 
neath, which passes beyond the under one]. 
Wing reduced to a little stump, terminated by a 
hook. 
[Several specimens of this singular bird have re- 
cently been received, more particularly in England, 
and its characters are now tolerably determined. It 
has no relationship whatever with the Penguin group, 
but there is every reason to place it in the present 
family. From all other birds, it differs in the com- x'jg. lie.— i he Apteryx, 
pleteness of its diaphragm, and in the absence of abdominal air cells ; none of its bones are hollow. The sternum" 
is exceedingly reduced, with one deep posterior emargination on each side, and also a pair of anomalous perfora-s 
tions or foramina towards the middle : the ribs are extraordinarily broad, and a single pair of vocal muscles are j 
attached to the coracoids : stomach but slightly muscular, and intestines of mean length, with moderate-sizedj 
coeca. The feathers have no accessory plume, and their shafts are prolonged considerably beyond the barb ; 
there are many long vibrissae about the base of the bill, which is invested with a ceral membrane. The feet have! 
a short and elevated hind-toe, the claw of which is alone externally visible. The dimensions of the female appear 
to exceed those of the male, and her bill is longer. Size that of a domestic fowl, and colour deep brown. 
This very interesting bird is nocturnal in its time of action, and subsists on insects. It runs with rapidity, and.| 
defends itself vigorously with its feet. Its native name is Kivi-kivi, derived from its cry.] 
The family of 
Pressirostres — 
Comprehends a number of genera with elongated tarsi, in which the back-toe is either quite! 
absent, or so short as not to reach the ground. Bill moderate, but strong enough to penetratel 
