Chapter 7

Thisis, as regards size, one of the more variable forms in the tarso-metatarsus, while the tibio-tarsus is remarkably constant. The tibio-tarsus is almost invariably 35 inches in length, while the tarso-metatarsus varies from 17.5 to 19 inches in length.

The type ofD. giganteusOwen is from Poverty Bay; the type ofD. validusis from Glenmark.

Habitat: North and Middle Islands, New Zealand.

Portion of skeleton in Tring Museum, from Kopua Swamps, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Dinornis ingensOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 237 (1843).Movia ingensReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. xxx (1850).D. ingens var. robustusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 307 (1846).Palapteryx robustusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 345 (1848).D. firmusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 114 (1892).D. potensHutton, l.c. p. 115.

Dinornis ingensOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 237 (1843).

Movia ingensReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. xxx (1850).

D. ingens var. robustusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 307 (1846).

Palapteryx robustusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 345 (1848).

D. firmusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 114 (1892).

D. potensHutton, l.c. p. 115.

D.ingensshows considerable variation in size, but the inter-gradation is so complete that it seems impossible to retain the four speciesingens,firmus,potensandrobustus, which Captain Hutton admits. This form was widely distributed over the North and Middle Islands. The type skull ofP. robustuscame from Timaru, the type offirmusfrom Wanganui, that ofingensfrom Poverty Bay, while that ofpotensis quoted from the East side of Middle Island, without specific type locality.

Habitat: North and Middle Islands.

The plate of this species was reconstructed by Mr. Frohawk from the skeleton and feathers in my museum, and the feathers found with the skeleton now in the York Museum. The only criticism that might be made in connection with this picture is that the feathers are drawn a little too much like those ofApteryx australis, but this is not of any consequence, as the Moa feathers in the Tring Museum and elsewhere vary considerably in appearance, though being more or less coloured likeApteryxfeathers.

There is an almost perfect skeleton in the Tring Museum.

Dinornis gracilisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV (1855) p. 141.D. torosusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 117 (1892).

Dinornis gracilisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV (1855) p. 141.

D. torosusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 117 (1892).

Ifwe acknowledge thatD. novaezealandiaeoccurs both on the North and Middle Islands, then I feel sure that the distinctness ofD. gracilisandD. torosuscannot be maintained, as the measurements intergrade completely.

The type ofD. graciliscame from Wanganui, while that ofD. torosusis a nearly perfect skeleton found in a cave at Takaka, near Nelson.

Habitat: New Zealand.

There is an imperfect skeleton in the Tring Museum, from a limestone cave at Takaka, near Motueka, Province of Nelson, New Zealand.

Dinornis dromioidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III. p. 235 (1843).Palapteryx dromioidesReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. XXX (1850).Palapteryx plenusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 122 (1892).

Dinornis dromioidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III. p. 235 (1843).

Palapteryx dromioidesReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. XXX (1850).

Palapteryx plenusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 122 (1892).

Thisform also inhabited both islands, but was probably one of the rarest. The type ofD. dromioidescame from Poverty Bay, and that ofP. plenusfrom Glenmark.

Habitat: New Zealand.

Dinornis novaezealandiaeOwen, P.Z.S. (1843) p. 8.D. struthioidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 244 (1844).D. strennusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV p. 8 (1893).

Dinornis novaezealandiaeOwen, P.Z.S. (1843) p. 8.

D. struthioidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 244 (1844).

D. strennusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV p. 8 (1893).

Professor Owenchanged the name of this form, but we cannot accept this change, as it is against the laws of nomenclatorial priority, though we all appreciate the motive the Professor had in making this change. The type came from Poverty Bay, but the bird inhabits both islands.

This species had wings.

Habitat: New Zealand.

A nearly perfect skeleton in the Tring Museum from Waitomo district, Auckland, New Zealand.

Originallydistinguished by Haast from theDinornithidaeas an ancient form of theApterygidae, but afterwards united by Lydekker with theDinornithidae. Mr. Lydekker's diagnosis of the genus is asfollows:—

"Distinguished fromDinornisby the extreme slenderness and length of the femur and tibio-tarsus, and the relatively shorter tarso-metatarsus, of which latter the length is considerably shorter than that of the femur. The pelvis is much narrower than in Dinornis, with the ventral surface of the postacetabular sacrals ridged and narrower, and a more developed pectineal process to the pubis. The femur is markedly curved forwards, with the distal extremity moderately expanded, the popliteal depression larger and less defined, the linea aspera narrower and sharper, and a more distinct anterior intermuscular ridge."

The following additional diagnostic characters are taken from Mr. Charles W. Andrews' description of the complete skeleton ofMegalapteryx tenuipesin the Tring Museum (Nov. Zool. IV, pp. 188-194, fig. 1-2 in text and pl. VI):—

Width of cranium at paroccipital processes less than half the length of the basis cranii. Length of premaxilla less than two-and-a-half times that of the basis cranii. Body of the premaxilla pointed and slightly decurved; its length and breadth less than the basis cranii. The occipital plane slightly declined backwards. Occipital condyle projecting slightly beyond the paroccipital processes. Anterior and posterior lambdoidal ridges separated by a very narrow interval in their middle region only. Width at squamosals slightly more than double the length of the basis cranii. Mammillary tuberosities not very prominent. Margin of tympanic cavity evenly curved. Temporal fossae very large. The distance between the temporal ridges about four-fifths the width of the cranium at the fossae. The posterior temporal ridge confluent with the lambdoidal ridge. Post-temporal fossae very large.

The inferior temporal ridge is strongly marked, and there is a pretympanic process. The zygomatic process is well developed. Rostrum dilated towards its anterior end, compressed and carinate beneath the large presphenoid fossae. Mandible very slender. Posterior angular process small. Sternum very convex, and with a very nearly straight anterior border between the tuberosities for the coracoscapular ligaments. Costal processes short but large, with distinctcoracoidal facets. The lateral processes are long and distally expanded. The sternum is just as wide as it is long. There are three costal articulations. The most notable character is the enormous length of the toes, the middle one being longer than the tarso-metatarsus. The ungual phalanges are peculiarly long, narrow and curved, instead of being comparatively short and broad, as in most other Moas.

Type of the genusMegalapteryx hectori, Haast.

Number of species 4.

Megalapteryx hectoriHaast, Trans. Zool. Soc. XII, p. 161 (1886); Lydekker, Cat. Fossil B. Brit. Mus., p. 252.

Thisform was described by Sir Julius von Haast as a giganticApteryx. This error arose from the absence of the skull. There is, however, no doubt now, since the skulls ofMegalapteryxare known, that although sufficiently aberrant to form a distinct sub-family, the birds included in this genus areDinornithidaeand notApterygidae.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Lydekker, Cat. Fossil Birds in Brit. Mus., p. 252, underM. tenuipes(1891).

Thetype is a left femur, No. 32145 in the British Museum. It is smaller and relatively narrower than the femur, of eitherM. hectoriorM. tenuipes. This is most noticeable at the distal extremity.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand. (Type locality Waingongoro.)

Named after Mr. A. Hamilton, who did so much in discovering deposits of extinct New Zealand birds.

Megalapteryx tenuipesLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus. p. 251 (1891).

Thisspecies was described from the tibio-tarsus, which is longer and relatively more slender than inM. hectori. Its distal width is about one-ninth of its length, while inM. hectoriit is about one-seventh. The length of the tibio-tarsus is approximately 0.405 mm. = 16 inches, and width of distal extremity about 0.044 = 1.74 inches. Type specimens Nos. 49989 and 49990, British Museum.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand, and perhaps North Island. (Type locality Lake Wakatipa, Queenstown, Otago.)

Complete skeleton in the Tring Museum.

Mr. Lydekker mentions also a right femur from the North Island, of the same proportions as those ofM. tenuipesand 0.255 m. (= 10.1 inches) long. It may probably belong to a different form, as we knowM. tenuipesotherwise only from the Middle Island.

Dinornis huttoniiOwen, Ext. Birds, N.Z., p. 430 (1879).Dinornis didinusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. XI, p. 257 (1883).D. didiformisHaast, (non Owen 1844) Trans. N.Z. Inst. I, p. 83, Nos. 5 & 6 (1869).Mesopteryx didinusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 129 (1892).

Dinornis huttoniiOwen, Ext. Birds, N.Z., p. 430 (1879).

Dinornis didinusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. XI, p. 257 (1883).

D. didiformisHaast, (non Owen 1844) Trans. N.Z. Inst. I, p. 83, Nos. 5 & 6 (1869).

Mesopteryx didinusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 129 (1892).

Thesynonymy of this form is somewhat confused, but I think it is clear thathuttoniiof Owen is its proper name. Professor Owen (Ext. B. p. 430) says:

"In the collection from the Glenmark Swamp, South Island, are bones that scarcely differ, save in size, from the dimensions (?W.R.) of the type bones ofDinornis didiformisfrom theNorth Island. They are noted as of a large variety of that species." Captain Hutton remarks: "The bones that I have arranged under the nameD. didiformisbelong probably to a new species. The tibia is well marked and quite distinct, but the femur and metatarsus, that I have associated with it, pass almost intoD. casuarinus, but are rather smaller.D. casuarinusis undoubtedly a good species, easily distinguished by its tibia." Possibly theDinornisof theSouth Island, with the tibia characteristic ofD. didiformisof theNorth Island, may need to be noted for the convenience of naming the bones asDinornis huttonii.

When describing hisD. didinus, Professor Owen failed to recognise its identity with his previously namedD. huttonii, doubtless owing to the leg bones being hidden by the dry integument. This being the case, it is necessary to reinstate the namehuttonii, as it has four years' priority overdidinus.

Captain Hutton says that a few bones of this form have been obtained in the North Island at Poverty Bay and Te Aute; but I am convinced he is in error and that these bones are aberrant individual bones ofA. didiformisand thatM. huttoniiis confined to the South or rather Middle Island. The plate of this species has been reconstructed by Mr. Lodge from the mummified remains which form the type specimen ofDidornis didinus, and the feathers found in the alluvial sands of theClutha River. The type ofDinornis didinuswas found at Queenstown by Mr. Squires.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Mr. C. W. Andrews, in his description of my complete skeleton ofMegalapteryx tenuipeshas shown that Owen's type specimens of hisDinornis didinusare certainly of a species of the genusMegalapteryx, and closelyallied toM. tenuipes. Mr. Andrews, however, throws some doubt as to whether the pelvis and femora, referred to this species by Hutton, really belong to it.

A complete egg which I consider must be of this species is preserved in the Tring Museum. Its measurements are asfollows:—

This egg was dredged up on the Molyneux River, near Otago, during gold dredging operations in 1901; a second perfect egg was dredged up a few months before in the same river, and was referred by Dr. Benham toPachyornis ponderosus.

Theskull is narrow and vaulted, with a long, sharp and slightly deflected beak. Breadth at the squamosals 1½ times the height at basi-temporal, which has a constricted praemaxillary ridge, and the quadrate with a very small pneumatic foramen. The mandible isV-shaped, with a slight inflection of the angle, and a distinct postarticular process. The symphysis is very narrow and pointed, with a long and narrow inferior ridge, not expanding markedly at either extremity. The sternum is longer, flatter and narrower than inDinornis, having no distinct xiphisternal notch, three costal articulations, long and narrow costal processes, slender lateral processes which are often elongated, and usually no coracoidal facets. The pelvis is wider and lower than inDinornis, with the lower border of the postacetabular portion of the ilium descending as a sharp ridge much below the level of the sacral ribs, and without any distinct pectineal process. A hallux is present. The tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus are relatively shorter and stouter than inDinornis, the latter being shorter than the femur, which is usually stouter and relatively shorter than inMegalapteryx. The length of the tarso-metatarsus is less than half that of the tibio-tarsus. The femur, besides being usually relatively shorter is readily distinguished from that ofDinornisby its more expanded extremities, the rather longer neck, and the much larger and ill-defined popliteal depression.

The vertebrae are of the general type of those ofPachyornis, but the anterior pneumatic foramen commences in the third dorsal. The phalangeals are intermediate between those ofDinornisandPachyornis. Haast considered that the coracoid was aborted and often absent in this genus, inEmeus, andPachyornis. As additional characters of the skull it may be mentioned that there is a prominent supra-occipital protuberance, and a depression on the squamosal above the quadrate; the par-occipital processes are pointed, and the basi-occipital processes only slightly prominent; so that the posterior profile of the basi-occipital is nearly straight. The quadrate has a very short anterior process.

All the species of the genus are small, in factparvusis the smallest but one of the family.

Type of the genus:Anomalopteryx didiformis(Owen).

Number of species: 4.

Dinornis didiformisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 242 (1844).Anomalopteryx didiformisReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. 30 (1850).A. didiformisLydekker, Cat. Fossil B. Brit. Mus., p. 275.

Dinornis didiformisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 242 (1844).

Anomalopteryx didiformisReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. 30 (1850).

A. didiformisLydekker, Cat. Fossil B. Brit. Mus., p. 275.

Thepresent form is confined to the North Island. Owen's type was collected by the Revd. Wm. Williams, and came from Poverty Bay.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand.

Portion of skeleton in Tring Museum.

Dinornis parvusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. XI, pp. 233-256, pls. LI-LVII (1883).Anomalopteryx didiformisHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 123 (1892), part.A. parvaLydekker, t.c., p. 278.

Dinornis parvusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. XI, pp. 233-256, pls. LI-LVII (1883).

Anomalopteryx didiformisHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 123 (1892), part.

A. parvaLydekker, t.c., p. 278.

Thissmall form is confined to the Middle Island. The type, a skeleton in almost complete condition, was dug up in a cave at Takaka, near Nelson, and is now in the British Museum. A much less perfect skeleton is in my museum at Tring.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Avian RemainsForbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIII, p. 369 (1891).Anomalopteryx antiquusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 124 (1892).

Avian RemainsForbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIII, p. 369 (1891).

Anomalopteryx antiquusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 124 (1892).

A.antiquuswas named by Captain Hutton from the photographs of bones described by Dr. Forbes in the above-quoted article. The evidence is very slight on which to found a species, but I prefer to treat it as one, for the bones were discovered in the Upper Miocene, a much older stratum than most remains ofDinornithidaeoccur in.

Locality: Timaru, Middle Island, New Zealand.

Anomalopteryx fortis Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV, p. 9 (1893).

Thisis the largest of the genus, and the type bones came from Glenmark. I append comparative table of Measurements:

Locality of Type: Glenmark.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Skullconvex, the temporal fossae very large. Breadth at the squamosals 1.6-1.7 times the height at the basi-temporal. Length from the supra-occipital to the nasals rather less than the breadth at the squamosals. Occipital condyle hidden by the supra-occipital. Ridge between temporal fossae and supra-occipital narrow. Beak short, slightly compressed and rounded at the tip, though more pointed than inAnomalopteryx. Lower mandible nearly straight and rather slighter than inAnomalopteryx, V-shaped. Sternum with coracoid pits faintly indicated or absent; length less than breadth. Costal processes well developed, lateral processes diverging at different angles.

Pelvis broader in proportion than inDinornis, the acetabula set more forward. Tarso-metatarsus shorter than the femur, and less than half the length of the tibio-tarsus. Hallux present in some species. The smallest species of Moa isCela curtus.

Type of the genus:Cela curtus.

Number of species: 5.

Dinornis curtusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 325 (1846).Cela curtusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. 30 (1850).Cela curtaHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIX, p. 550, pl. XLVII, Fig. B.

Dinornis curtusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 325 (1846).

Cela curtusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. 30 (1850).

Cela curtaHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIX, p. 550, pl. XLVII, Fig. B.

Thisand the following are the two smallest species ofMoa, having been about the size of a large turkey. It also is the most abundant species at Whangarei, and appears to have been most common in the North of the Island. The type is from Poverty Bay.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand.

Dinornis oweniHaast, Trans. Zool. Soc. XII, p. 171, pl. XXXI, XXXII (1886).Cela curtusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., XXIV, p. 127 (1892), portion.

Dinornis oweniHaast, Trans. Zool. Soc. XII, p. 171, pl. XXXI, XXXII (1886).

Cela curtusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., XXIV, p. 127 (1892), portion.

Dr. von Haast(Sir Julius von Haast) took as his type ofDinornis owenithe almost complete skeleton collected by Mr. Cheeseman in a cave at Patana, Whangarei, and now in the Auckland Museum. While referring my readers to the original diagnosis for the specific characters, I wish to specially draw attention to the fact that Dr. von Haast says that in the collections he examined, made by Mr. Thorne and Mr. Cheeseman, there are bones belonging to at least 20 skeletons of hisD. oweni, and that some were even smaller than the type, and the only difference was the constant average difference due to sex. I draw special notice to this, as Captain Hutton has united this form withcurtus, saying Haast's type is only a small individual of that species. The fact of bones of at least 20 different individuals, showing the same characters and the same differences fromcurtus, is quite sufficient evidence for me to consider Dr. von Haast'sD. owenias a distinct species. I append measurements of the leg bones of the types ofCela curtusandC. oweni:—

Locality: Whangarei.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand.

Palapteryx geranoidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 345 (1848).Cela geranoidesHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 126 (1892).

Palapteryx geranoidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 345 (1848).

Cela geranoidesHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 126 (1892).

Thisspecies is confined to the North Island. The type came from Waingongoro. It is most commonly found in the South of the Island.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand.

Dinornis rheidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV, p. 8 (1850—partim).Syornis rheidesHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 131 (1892).

Dinornis rheidesOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV, p. 8 (1850—partim).

Syornis rheidesHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 131 (1892).

Thisis a very difficult form to consider, as the type bones consisted of those of three different forms. Whether Professor Owen, were he now alive, would concur in Captain Hutton's treatment is very questionable, and I doubt if it ought not to be united toEmeus crassus, while Haast united it toP. gravis. I have kept it separate as no bones of a single individual united are known, and it might prove sufficiently distinct if a good skeleton were obtained. The type bones were sent from Waikawaite, Middle Island, by Colonel Wakefield, in 1849.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Dinornis casuarinusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 307 (1846).Syornis casuarinusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög, p. XXX (1850).Meionornis casuarinusHaast, Trans. N.Z. Inst., VII, pp. 54-91 (1875).Syornis casuarinusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., XXIV, p. 133 (1892).

Dinornis casuarinusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 307 (1846).

Syornis casuarinusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög, p. XXX (1850).

Meionornis casuarinusHaast, Trans. N.Z. Inst., VII, pp. 54-91 (1875).

Syornis casuarinusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., XXIV, p. 133 (1892).

C.casuarinusis found in both Islands, and is abundant in the Middle Island.

The type came from Waikowaiti.

Habitat: New Zealand.

Portions of one skeleton and two almost complete skeletons in Tring Museum; one of the latter from Kapua Swamps.

Theskull is very short and wide, with a blunt and slightly deflected rostrum, and a very small pneumatic foramen to the quadrate. The mandible is in the shape of a wideU, with a slightly inflected angle, and a large post-articular process. The symphysis is very wide and deeply excavated, with a broad and slightly prominent inferior ridge narrowing in front. The sternum resembles that ofAnomalopteryx, but the pelvis is much wider and approaches that ofPachyornis. The tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus are relatively shorter and thicker than inAnomalopteryx, but less stout than inPachyornis; the distal extremity of the tibio-tarsus is not inflected. A hallux is present. The length of the tarso-metatarsus is considerably less than that of the femur, and than half that of the tibio-tarsus, its width at the middle of the shaft being rather more than one-fourth of its length.

The vertebrae are of the type ofAnomalopteryx. The species are larger than most of those ofCelaandAnomalopteryx. Additional cranial characters are that the skull usually has very broad and blunt paroccipital processes; there is no distinct supraoccipital prominence, and no well-marked depression upon the frontal aspect of the squamosal above the head of the quadrate. The basi-occipital tubercles are prominent, and give an arched posterior profile to this bone. The quadrate is elongated with a long anterior bar; the cavity of the squamosal for the reception of its head is inclined much more outwardly than in either of the other genera.

Type of genus:Emeus crassus(Owen).

Number of species: 6.

Dinornis crassusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 307 (1846—partim).Emeus crassusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög., p. XXX (1850).Syornis crassusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 132 (1892).

Dinornis crassusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, p. 307 (1846—partim).

Emeus crassusReichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög., p. XXX (1850).

Syornis crassusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 132 (1892).

Thisspecies has led to much confusion, owing to Professor Owen having associated with the real portions ofcrassusin his possession bones ofelephantopus,ponderosusandstruthioides. The type came from Waikouaiti.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Imperfect skeleton in Tring Museum.

Emeus, SpeciesΑ, Parker, Trans. Zool. Soc. XIII, p. 379 (1895), pl. XVI.

Easilydistinguished by the shorter and narrower beak. Type specimen—the skull found by Mr. R. S. Booth at Stag Point—now in Otago University Museum, figured as above.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Emeus gravipesLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus., p. 298 (1891) Nos. A95, on p. 299, to 47444d, on p. 300.Dinornis gravis(portion) Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. VIII, p. 361 (1872).Euryapteryx gravisHaast, Ibis 1874, p. 213.

Emeus gravipesLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus., p. 298 (1891) Nos. A95, on p. 299, to 47444d, on p. 300.

Dinornis gravis(portion) Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. VIII, p. 361 (1872).

Euryapteryx gravisHaast, Ibis 1874, p. 213.

Thepresent species is smaller thanE. crassusand has the tarso-metatarsus relatively wider. Length, 198 mm. = 7.8 inches; width at middle of shaft, 51 mm. = 2 inches.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

EmeusspeciesΒ, Parker, Trans. Zool. Soc. XIII p. 379 (1895).Emeus gravipesLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus. p. 301 Nos. 32017, 32016, a-e and c to 32044 e on p. 307 (1891).

EmeusspeciesΒ, Parker, Trans. Zool. Soc. XIII p. 379 (1895).

Emeus gravipesLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus. p. 301 Nos. 32017, 32016, a-e and c to 32044 e on p. 307 (1891).

Sir J. von Haastunited this form withDinornis gravis, and the skull which is the type ofE. haastiis put on a skeleton ofD. gravisin the Canterbury Museum. The measurements of this species are much smaller than those of the other species.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

EmeusspeciesΓ, Parker, Trans. Zool. Soc. XIII, p. 380 (1895).

Thisspecies is at once distinguished from the other species of the genus by having right-angled orbits. The type is a skull from Hamilton Swamp, namedEuryapteryx gravis, by Prof. Hutton, in the Otago Museum.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Dinornis didiformisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, pl. 24 (1846), part.Euryapteryx exilisHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIX, p. 552, pl. XLVIII, Fig. C (1897).

Dinornis didiformisOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III, pl. 24 (1846), part.

Euryapteryx exilisHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIX, p. 552, pl. XLVIII, Fig. C (1897).

DiffersfromE. crassusin the tibia being more convex on the anterior surface. The skull, among other differences, has a very slight frontal rising to the cranial roof, as opposed to the very conspicuous one in the remaining species. The type is a nearly complete skeleton in the Wanganui Museum. For full description see Hutton, l.c.

Habitat: North Island, New Zealand.

Theskull is either vaulted or flattened, with a sharp and narrow beak. The paroccipital processes are shorter and more rounded, and the basi-occipital tubercles more prominent than inAnomalopteryx, while the quadrate and mandible resemble the same bones in that genus somewhat closely. The sternum is flat and very broad and short, with no coracoidal facets, a very small xiphisternal notch, broad and short costal processes, and widely divergent lateral processes; while there are only two costal articulations. The pelvis is extremely low and wide, with the anterior wall of the acetabulum very deeply concave, the ventral surface of all the vertebrae behind the true sacrals narrow and convex, and from which the very broad sacral ribs ascend to join the ilium, of which the inferior postacetabular border is very sharp, and descends far below the level of the ribs. There is no pectineal process to the pubis. The tibio-tarsus is very short, with the shaft curved outwards, the distal extremity markedly inflected, and the fibular ridge much shorter than in the other genera. The fibular border below the smooth space at the distal extremity of the fibular ridge is extremely rough; and the distal extensor tubercle is very prominent, being situated partly on the line of the upper half of the extensor groove, instead of being altogether external to the same.

The tarso-metatarsus is still shorter and wider than inEmeus, the width at the middle of the shaft being usually rather more than one third of the length. The third trochlea is more prominent than in the other genera, and rises very abruptly from the shaft, the outer border of the anterior surface usually expanding suddenly at the proximal extremity, and the outer ridge of this surface being always more prominent than the inner, whereas in the other genera the opposite condition obtains. The femur, as compared with that ofDinornis, is very much shorter and thicker, with a longer neck, and the head rising and projecting very considerably, the linea aspera mainly forming a rough nodule near the distal end of the shaft, the outer surface of the distal extremity more suddenly expanded, and the popliteal depression larger, more open, and leading to the inner surface of the shaft by a more distinct channel. The profile of the inner condyle is wider antero-posteriorly, and more rounded, the anterior intertrochlear surface being deeply channelled.

The phalangeals of the pes are much shorter and stouter than inDinornis, the proximal surface of the terminal segments generally presenting a trefoil-shaped contour. The length of the tarso-metatarsus is very muchless than half that of the tibio-tarsus. In the vertebral column the cervicals are short with very stout centra, the prezygopophyses in the middle region being nearly horizontal and separated from one another by a wide channel. The posterior face of the centra is tall and narrow, and the neural spines of the last two vertebrae much inclined forward. In the dorsals there is usually no anterior pneumatic foramen till the fourth (or the last with a distinct haemal carina), this foramen being situated on the line of the anterior border of the rib-facet. The third and fourth dorsals are extremely compressed. Throughout the series also the neural spines and transverse processes are comparatively long. Additional characters of the skull are that the sphenoidal rostrum is expanded in a lance-like shape at the anterior extremity, in a manner unlike that of any of the other genera.

Then the supraoccipital never has a very strongly developed median prominence, and the temporal fossae are comparatively short. The mandible may be readily distinguished from that of the other genera by the low position of the inner aperture of the dental canal, which pierces the bone obliquely to join the small lateral vacuity.

Type of the genus:Pachyornis elephantopus(Owen).

Number of species: 8.

Dinornis elephantopusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV, p. 149 (1853).Palapteryx elephantopusHaast, Ibis, Ser. 3, vol. IV, p. 212 (1874).Euryapteryx elephantopusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 135 (1892).

Dinornis elephantopusOwen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV, p. 149 (1853).

Palapteryx elephantopusHaast, Ibis, Ser. 3, vol. IV, p. 212 (1874).

Euryapteryx elephantopusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 135 (1892).

UntilMr. Lydekker describedPachyornis immanis, and Mr. AndrewsAepyornis titan, this was undoubtedly the most bulky and ponderous of all known Ratitae, extinct and living.

Type: Awamoa, near Oamanu.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Two imperfect skeletons in the Tring Museum; one from Kapua Swamps.

Pachyornis immanisLydekker, Cat. Foss. Birds Brit. Mus., p. 343 (1891).

Thisis the most bulky and largest member of the genus, and also of allDinornithidae. Its living parallel to-day isCasuarius philipiRothschild, which, though by no means the tallest species ofCasuarius, is the most bulky, and has the shortest and stoutest legs—the tarso-metatarsus is specially short and stout.

The type tarso-metatarsus measures 228 mm. = 8.9 inches, and in width (shaft) 84 mm. = 3.3 inches, while the type tarso-metatarsus ofelephantopusmeasures 239 mm. = 9.4 inches and 65 mm. = 2.55 inches.

The skull is much more depressed than inelephantopusand with deeper temporal fossae and a shorter post orbital region.

Type: No. A168 British Museum.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Pachyornis rothschildiLydekker, P.Z.S. 1891, pp. 479-482, pl. XXXVIII.

Thebones in the Tring Museum, which form the type of this species, unfortunately have no history and their locality is unknown. It differs from the other species of the genus by the slenderer proportions of the tibio-tarsus, which is 22 inches long by 2.9 inches distal width, as opposed to 24 inches by 4.2 inelephantopusand 20 inches by 3.5 inponderosus, the two nearest in size. Femur: length 10.6 as opposed to 12.5 inches inelephantopus.

Euryapteryx ponderosusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., p. 137 (1892).

Thisspecies is slightly smaller thanP. elephantopus, the tarso-metatarsus varying from 8.25 to 8.0 inches, as opposed to from 9.4 to 9.25 inelephantopus; the tibio-tarsus varies from 18.5 to 18.6, as opposed to 24 to 24.1; femur, 10, as opposed to 13 to 11.8.

The skull can be distinguished by the processes at the hinder angles of the basi-sphenoid, which are higher and rounder inponderosus, flatter and more elongated inelephantopus. Type: Hamilton.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Cast of egg in Tring Museum, taken from specimen in Otago Museum, dredged up in 1901 in the Molyneux River, also incomplete skeleton from Kapua Swamps.

Pachyornis inhabilisHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV, p. 11 (1893).

Differsfromponderosusby having the great inward expansion at the distal end of the tibio-tarsus. This expansion has induced some ornithologists to separate the species ofPachyornisinto two genera—EuryapteryxandPachyornis—but I do not think this expansion of sufficient importance to warrant generic separation.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Euryapteryx valgusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV, p. 12 (1893).

Thisspecies is at once distinguishable from all others by the extraordinary internal expansion of the distal end of the tibio-tarsus. The tarso-metatarsus is 8.5 inches = 216 mm. in length and the proximal width 3.5 inches = 89 mm., and does not differ much fromcrassusexcept in the great proximal width, necessary to articulate with the distal internal expansion described above.

The type came from Enfield in New Zealand.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Euryapteryx pygmaeusHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 739 (1892).

Asimplied by its name, this is the smallest species ofPachyornis, the tarso-metatarsus only measuring 6 inches in length. The type came from Takaka.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Euryapteryx compactaHutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV, p. 11 (1893).

Approachesnearest topygmaeusin size, but can be at once distinguished by the distal extremity of the tibio-tarsus not being expanded inwards. The tarso-metatarsus has the trochleae considerably more expanded than inpygmaeus.

Type from Enfield in New Zealand.

Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.

Dr. Forbesfounded this genus ofDinornithidaeon remains of Moas of three distinct sizes as regards femora collected by him at Manitoto. Dr. Forbes has kindly placed these bones at my disposal, and the following summarises the results of my examination. I find that Dr. Forbes' original idea as to the distinctness ofPalaeocasuariusis perfectly justified, as not only are his characters of the tibio-tarsus, as opposed to those in the other genera, correct, but the proportions between femur, tibio-tarsus and tarso-metatarsus are quite different to those of other genera. I give the proportions of the three bones inPalaeocasuarius elegans,Megalapteryx tenuipes, andPachyornis elephantopus, which are the three most nearly allied genera:

The original diagnosis was as follows, being founded on the tibio-tarsus: "The tibio-tarsus differs from that of all other genera in being straighter and less twisted on itself, so that the position of the ridge forming the inner wall of the groove for the tendons of the extensor muscles run along the inner side of the bone as inCasuarius. As in the latter genus it takes a marked turn inwards and backwards before joining the epicnemial crest, while a line joining the centre point between the distal condyles and the epicnemial ridge leaves a considerable space between it and the wall of the groove. There is no intercondylar eminence in the intercondylar channel, and the orifice of the extensor foramen opens more longitudinally than in the other genera, and points downwards."

Type of the genus:Palaeocasuarius haastiForbes.

Number of species: 3.

In the following descriptions of the three species I only rely on the measurements of the femora, as not all the other leg bones of the three species are available.

Palaeocasuarius haastiForbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 189 (1892).

Femur: length approximately 8.5 inches; width across head and great trochanter 2.25 inches. Tarso-metatarsus: length 7 inches; width in centre 1.15 inches, at distal end 2.75 inches.

Type from Manitoto in Liverpool Museum.

This bird exceeded considerably the cassowary in size, is all the author tells us of this bird. It is a pity that Dr. Forbes did not insist on the publication in full of his paper, as proper descriptions of all the twelve new species are wanting.

Habitat: New Zealand.

Palaeocasuarius veloxForbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 189 (1892).

Femur: length 9.5 inches; width across head and trochanter 2.75 inches, across distal end 2.5 inches. Tarso-metatarsus: length 7 inches; width in centre 1.5 inches, across distal end 3 inches.

Type specimen from Manitoto in Liverpool Museum.

Habitat: New Zealand.

Palaeocasuarius elegansForbes, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV, p. 189 (1892).

Femur: length 10.75 inches; width across head and trochanter 3.25 inches, across distal end 3.4 inches. Tarso-metatarsus: length 7.8 inches, width over centre 1.75, over distal end about 3.3 inches.

Type specimen from Manitoto in the Liverpool Museum.

Habitat: New Zealand.

Thefirst notice we have from a scientific man of the existence on Madagascar of large Struthious birds is the description by Isidore Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire of two eggs and a few osseous remains, in the Annales des Sciences naturelles III, Zoologie, vol. XIV (1850). These important objects were sent to the describer by a colonist of Réunion, Monsieur de Malavois, but were obtained from the natives in Madagascar by Captain M. Abadie. A third egg arrived smashed. The name given on this evidence wasAepyornis maximus.

Since then some 40 eggs at least and a large number of odd bones have been collected by Monsieur Grandidier, Messrs. Last and others, and Dr. Forsyth Major, but only one practically complete, and one less complete skeleton of a smaller species, namedAepyornis hildebrandtiby Dr. Burckhardt.

A large number of species has been diagnosed on the evidence of these bones and eggs by Professor Milne-Edwards, Mr. Dawson Rowley and Mr. Andrews, and a second genus,Mullerornis, established.

The following is the diagnosis of the family

Headless flattened than in theDinornithidae, much longer and narrower. Brain case much greater in volume. Occipital condyle strongly pedunculate. Temporal fossae deep and narrow. The basisphenoid has on each side a well marked pterygoidal apophysis. The lower mandible is straight and stout, recalling somewhat that ofRhea, but the maxillary branches are higher and stouter. The symphysis is long, contracted, and hollowed out in the shape of a ladle. The sternum presents many affinities to that ofApteryx. It is a thin plastron, flattened, and much widened. The coracoidal articular surfaces similar to those ofApteryx. The Coraco-scapulars are feeble, and have so faint an articular surface that the humerus must have been rudimentary. Hallux absent, outer digit has five, the middle digit four, and the inner digit three phalanges.

There are three genera and twelve species.

A striking character is that in the genusAepyornisthe proximal extremity of the tarso-metatarsus is larger than the distal extremity, a feature not found in the majority of other birds.

Monsieur Grandidier has expressly pointed out thatAepyornishad only three toes, I cannot, therefore, understand why Messrs. Lydekker and Evans both state that the hallux is present.

In spite of the researches of Messrs. Grandidier, Last, and Forsyth Major and the large collections sent home by them, the number ofAepyornisbones is infinitesimal compared with the vast masses of bones of theDinornithidaecontained in the museums. This paucity of material quite prohibits us from making a critical study of the described species, so that we are at present unable to say if too many or too few species have been diagnosed. I am inclined, however, to think that if we ever get complete skeletons of the larger forms,Ae. grandidieriandAe. cursorwill prove to be sexes of one species, and alsoAe. titanandAe. maximus. For the present, however, the measurements are too different to allow of their being united without further investigation.

The three genera are asfollows:—

AepyornisGeoffroy Saint Hilaire.EpiornisGeoffroy Saint Hilaire.EpyornisAuct.

AepyornisGeoffroy Saint Hilaire.

EpiornisGeoffroy Saint Hilaire.

EpyornisAuct.

MullerornisMilne-Edwards and Grandidier.

FlacourtiaAndrews.MullerornisMilne-Edwards and Grandidier (part).

FlacourtiaAndrews.

MullerornisMilne-Edwards and Grandidier (part).

Characterssame as those of the family; but in opposition toMullerornisthe species are very heavy, ponderous, and clumsy, the bones being both actually and comparatively much stouter. Differs fromFlacourtiain not having an ossified boney bridge over lower end of groove for adductor of outer digit.

Type:Aepyornis maximusGeoff.

Number of species: 9.

Aepyornis titanAndrews, Geol. Mag. 1895, p. 303.

Thisappears to be the largest species of the genus, thoughAe. maximusis considerably stouter. In the original description ofAe. ingens, however, the tibio-tarsi referred to that species are really those ofAe. titan:—

The skull, pelvis, and most vertebrae, as well as the sternum of this form are unknown.

Habitat: S. W. Madagascar.

Three Femora, two tarsi-metatarsi, and two incomplete tibia-tarsi are in the Tring Museum, collected by Last in the Antinosy country.

There are two eggs of this species at Tring, the measurements of which are asfollows:—

The egg mentioned by Mr. Lydekker in Cat. Foss. Birds B.M., page 214, No. 41847 is, judging from its size, undoubtedly an egg of this species, and I quote the measurements, as they are verylarge:—

The egg purchased in 1854 in the Paris Museummeasures:—

In addition to these four eggs which are undoubtedly ofAe. titan, there are the following which I consider to belong to thatspecies:—

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