only two in that bird, three in the Rhea, Emu, &c., and three with a rudiment of a fourth in the Apteryx.
The wing of the Apteryx, although scarcely more than rudimentary, agrees with that of the Rhea in having
a strongly hooked claw at its extremity; while in the structure of its feather it approaches nearest to the
Cassowary ; but unlike what obtains in that bird, the feathers are entirely destitute of the accessory plume,
in which latter respect it again agrees with the Rhea. The members of this group, although few in number,
are remarkable for their structural peculiarities, each being modified for its own peculiar habits and economy,
and in none is this circumstance more remarkable than in the Apteryx, which, at the same time that it de-
parts the farthest in form from the type of the group (the Ostrich), also departs the farthest in its mode of
life and general economy ; being in fact adapted to the peculiarities of its own country, and fitted for the
particular kind of food there to be obtained.

Although the Apteryx approximates nearer to the Rhea than any other known bird, I am inclined to think
that several intervening links will yet be discovered between them ; indeed a native of New Zealand, who
was present at one of the late meetings of the Zoological Society, stated that there is another Apteryx in
New Zealand, with a shorter and thicker bill, but which he considered to be the male of the present
species. Without doubting that he has spoken to the best of his knowledge, I suspect that it will prove to
be distinct, and that the two birds in my plate are representatives of both sexes.

The favourite localities of this bird are low marshy situations, and those covered with extensive and dense
beds of fern, among which it conceals itself, and when hard pressed by dogs, the usual mode of chasing
it, takes refuge in crevices of the rocks, hollow trees, and the deep holes which it excavates in the ground,
in the form of a chamber; in these latter situations it is said to construct its nest of dried fern and grasses,
and to deposit its eggs, the number and colour of which have not been clearly ascertained.

While undisturbed, says Mr. Short, in a letter to Mr. Yarrell, the head is carried far back in the
shoulders, with the bill pointing to the ground ; but when pursued, says the native of New Zealand, it runs
with great swiftness, carrying the head elevated like the Ostrich. It is asserted to be almost exclusively noc-
turnal in its habits, and it is by torch-light that it is usually hunted by the natives, by whom it is sought after
with the utmost avidity, the skins being highly prized for the dresses of the chiefs; indeed so much are they
valued, that the natives can rarely be induced to part with them. The feathers are also employed to construct
artificial flies for the capture of fish, precisely after the European manner. When attacked it defends itself
very vigorously, striking rapid and dangerous blows with its powerful feet and sharp spur; with which it is
also said to beat the ground in order to disturb the worms upon which it feeds, seizing them with its bill
the instant they make their appearance ; it also probably feeds upon snails, insects, &c.

Habitat. New Zealand, where it is called by the natives Kew: Kiei.

The Plate represents two birds, supposed to be male and female, rather under the natural size.