II. Subclass R A T IT AE. 
Order APTERYGES. 
Fam. APTERIGIDiE, 
Genus APTERYX. (Peculiar to New Zealand.) 
1. Apteryx bxjlleri, Sharpe. North-Island Kiwi. (Case I. 
No. 13; Case IX. Nos. 25, 27, & 28.) 
This is one of the most extraordinary of all existing birds. 
It is practically wingless, its anterior limbs being mere rudi¬ 
ments, only about an inch in extent. It is strictly nocturnal 
in its habits, and subsists chiefly on earthworms, which it 
obtains by probing the ground with its long bill, the nostrils 
being placed at the extremity of this organ instead of at the 
base, as in all other birds. 
During the daytime it remains concealed in underground 
burrows, where it also forms its nest and hatches its young. 
The egg of this bird is of remarkable size, measuring 
5 inches in length by 3 in breadth, and is perfectly white 
till soiled in the process of incubation. 
2. Apteryx australis, Shaw. South-Island Kiwi. (Case I. 
Nos. 9 and 14 : male and female.) 
This species is closely allied to the former, but is larger, of 
a lighter brown colour, and with softer plumage. Its range 
is confined to the mountainous parts of the South Island. 
3. Apteryx o.weni, Gould. Grey Kiwi. (Case I. Nos. 7,11, 
and 12 : adult male, and two younger birds, male 
and female.) 
This form is readily distinguishable from the others by its 
smaller size and spotted grey plumage. It is comparatively 
common in the alpine parts of the South Island, and a few 
specimens have recently been obtained in the Tararua ranges, 
near Wellington, in the North Island. 
