discovered in New Zealand . 
101 
latter, however (the Gallinaceous or Rasorial Order), 
we have the largest and stoutest birds known: these, 
too, are terrestrial in their habits (some exclusively so), 
and very often possess only three toes. It is true that, 
in general, the different known members of the family 
containing the largest birds have their tarsi long (where¬ 
as those of the Moa> as we have already seen, are short), 
yet to this we have exceptions in the extinct Dodo , 
and the Apteryx; and I think it is highly worthy 
of notice that the latter, the only known existing genus 
of the family possessing short tarsi , is entirely confined to 
these islands. 
From a conviction, then, that it is in this order only 
that the affinities of the Moa are to be sought with any 
prospect of success, and that it is in the family Stru- 
thonidce where they will, doubtless, eventually be found, 
we are induced, for the present at least, to place the Moa 
in that gigantic group. In the absence, however, of a 
specimen of an Apteryx* * with which to compare the few 
bones we at present possess of the Moa , I should, I 
confess, be hazarding an opinion in saying that it was 
most nearly allied to that peculiar genus ; yet, when we 
consider that, out of the five existing genera of this 
family, three at least, apparently possessing the nearest 
affinities to the remains of the bird before us, belong ex¬ 
clusively to the southernmost parts of the southern hemi- 
in the air.” (Regne Animal , Class Aves, Ord. V. Fam. I.) If 
such were the spontaneous remarks made by that illustrious naturalist, 
°n contemplating the size of the known members of that family, 
^hat would he not have said, had he but lived to examine the colossal 
structure of the Moa! 
* It has been my good fortune to have at different times several 
specimens of the Apteryx in my possession ; at present, however, I 
have not one, nor do I know in whose possession one is to be found 
m New Zealand. 
