APT E R Y X . — ' Ajj teryx a us trellis. 
The Kiwi-kiwi, or Apteryx, is a native of New Zealand, where it was once 
very common, but is now become scarce. 
In this bird there is scarcely the slightest trace of wings, a peculiarity which 
has gained for it the title of Apteryx, or wingless. The plumage is composed of 
rather curiously-shaped flat feathers, each being wide and furnished with a soft, 
shining, silken down for the basal third of its length, and then narrowing rapidly 
towards the extremity, which is a single shaft, with hair-like webs at each side. 
The quill portion of the feathers is remarkably small and short, being even 
overlapped by the down when the feather is removed from the bird. 
The skin is very tough and yet flexible, and the chiefs set great value upon it 
for the manufacture of their state mantles, permitting no inferior person to wear 
them, and being extremely unwilling to part with them even for a valuable 
consideration. 
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