
MOA, 79 
trace of any part of the osseous framework of a wing was discovered. 
Again, in the bones there was a smaller proportion of air-cells than 
in those of the emu, and, therefore, the body had not been rendered 
specifically lighter for the purpose of flight, as in the swallow and 
other flying birds The wings of this extinct species were more 
rudimentary than those of the emu, but not quite so minute in pro- 
portion to the body as in the apteryx. The height of the Dinornis 
giganteus was estimated to have been 10 feet 6 inches, the other 
species being smaller, as this name applies. 
. Hatinction.—It is probable that moas were in existence when 
the Polynesian colony first set foot on the island, and, if so, such 
bulky and probably stupid birds, at first without the instinct and 
always without adequate means of escape and defence, would soon 
fall a prey to the progenitors of the present Maoris. In the absence 
of any other large wild animals, the whole art and practice of ‘the 
chase must have been concentrated on these unfortunate cursorial 
birds. ‘The gigantic Dinornis would be the first exterminated ; the 
strength of its kick would less avail than its great bulk would pre- 
judice its safety by making its concealment difficult, at all events, 
the most recent looking bones are those.of the smaller species. When 
the source of animal food from terrestrial species was reduced by the 
extirpation of the moas to this low point, then may have arisen those 
cannibal practices which, until lately, formed the opprobrium of a 
race of men in all other respects much superior to the aborigines of 
Austrelia. 
Species. —No less than 18 species have been described, varying 
in height from 3 to 10 feet. The Maori ovens were extensively 
searched by the Hon. Walter Mantell and the late Sir Julius von 
Haast, and, from the bones exhumed, the birds must have formed a 
favourite article of diet, In Aug., 1891, large quantities of bones 
of extinct New Zealand birds were found at Enfield, near Oamaru. 
They include 120 thigh-bones of moas. 
Feathers.—In 1864, a remarkably fresh skeleton was sent from 
New Zealand to the York museum, it being the first instance in 
which any part of the integument or ligaments still remained 
attached to the skeleton. It enabled Mr. Dallas, keeper of the 
museum, to describe a part of the structure of the feathery covering 
of the moa. The fresh condition of a part of the skeleton would 
warrant the supposition that not very many years had elapsed since 
the bird to which it belonged had wandered over the hills of Otago, 
but no conclusions could be drawn as to the time of its death, from 
the fact that other portions of the skeleton are in such a state of 
decay that many years of exposure to the weather must have elapsed 
for its production. The portion of the skin which bore the remains 
of feathers covered the flat back of the pelvis, immediately above 
the commencement of the tail. ‘The skin itself was rather thick and 
coarse, The feathers were all very imperfect, consisting only of the 
basal portions of the shaft and accessory shaft, with here and there 
some traces of barbs ; it was impossible to form any opinion as to 
their original length. The moa having possessed an accessory plume 
