Birds of New Zealand. 211 
If we add to this all the other distinctive features, which I 
shall enumerate in the sequel, such as the existence or non¬ 
existence of a bony scapulo-coracoid, the shape of the sternum 
and of the bill, and many others, the presence or absence of 
a hallux becomes of still more importance. 
And I might add here another important peculiarity in 
these two main divisions, which was first pointed out to me 
by Mr. Fuller, and which is of great practical value when 
examining even the smallest bones. Mr. Fuller has found 
that in the mere handling of the bones a great difference is 
at once to be detected amongst those coming from the very 
same spot. Thus the remains of Palapteryx are harder, and 
have resisted more effectually the influence of time than those 
of Dinornis; the exterior dense crust is far stronger and 
thicker, and is less smooth than in the latter. Moreover 
the bones of the Palapterygidse are not quite so porous as 
those of the Dinornithidse, and consequently are heavier in 
proportion. 
After these few introductory observations I now proceed 
to lay before you the scheme after which I propose grouping 
together the different species of our extinct struthious birds, 
giving at the same time some of the principal distinctive fea¬ 
tures of each group :— 
A. Family DINORNXTHIBiE. 
a. Genus Dinornis. 
Metatarsus long, no hallux, pelvis narrow, sternum longer 
than broad, convex, with constant and well-marked coracoid 
depressions for the scapulo-coracoid bone; narrow and 
straight anterior crest, costal processes slightly developed, 
lateral processes standing at a less angle than in the Pala- 
pterygidse. Existence of a bony scapulo-coracoid; beak nar- 
ber of back trochleas in the possession of the Canterbury Museum, as to 
form and size, agree in a remarkable degree with the form and size of the 
bones of the different species belonging to that family. It would be 
strange if this striking coincidence, together with the rough grooves pre¬ 
viously alluded to, should have misled me.' 
