They are nocturnal in their habits, feeding upon insects, running with great rapidity, and delending themselves vigorously with their feet. The name of Kiwi-Kiwi is given to them by the

natives of New Zealand, who use the skins, which are highly valued in making dresses. A living specimen has been in the Zoological Gardens of London.

* 1, Epyornis; 2, Ostrich; 3, Cassowary; 4, Wild Goose; 5, Hen; 6, Pigeon; 7, Humming‐bird; 8, Eagle; 9, Vulture; 10, Penguin; 11, Crocodile; 12, Python; 13, Fresh-water Tortoise; 14, Boa of St. Lucia; 15, Tortoise; 16, Ophidian; 17, Dog-fish; 18, Ray-fish. The figure in the back-ground without a number represents the egg of the Moa.

BONES OF EXTINCT STRUTHIONIDE.-The eggs and some of the bones of a gigantic bird belonging to this family, the Epyornis maximus, have been recently discovered in the island of Madagascar and taken to Europe. The largest of the eggs, which were found imbedded in alluvial soil, measured no less than twelve inches and two-thirds in length, while the egg of the Common Ostrich is only about half that length. The difference in the contents of the two eggs is much greater, for M. Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, who was the first describer of these extraordinary remains, calculates that the largest egg of the Epyornis received by the Paris Museum would contain ten and an eighth quarts, or about as much as six eggs of the ostrich, sixteen of the cassowary, or

one hundred and forty-eight of the common hen. One of the eggs had been perforated by the natives, and used as a vessel for carrying water. From the dimensions of the bones, it is supposed that this bird must have been at least double the size of the ostrich; and it appears not improbable that it may still be in existence in the interior of the almost unknown island in which its remains were found.

Another group of gigantic extinct birds is also placed in the immediate neighborhood of the Struthionida by some authors, but distributed by others between these and the Grallatores. These are the Dinornidæ, the bones and even the eggs of which have been found in considerable quantities imbedded in the volcanic sands of New Zealand.

Several species have been distinguished, among which the Dinornis giganteus was pre-eminent in stature. A nearly complete skeleton is found in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, from which it has been calculated that it must have been at least fourteen feet in height. It appears exceedingly probable that these birds, if they do not still exist in the more inaccessible parts of the islands of New Zealand, were inhabitants of that distant land when it was first peopled with human beings, as the traditions of the natives describe a gigantic bird, to which they give the name of Moa, with SKELETON OF THE DINORNIS GIGANTEUS—THE NECK which their ancestors are said to have waged a war of destruction. The natives showed one traveler the place where the last Moa was destroyed after a tremendous battle, in which several of its assailants were killed. The egg of one of these birds was discovered by Mr. Walter Mantell, who describes it as so large that his hat would but just serve as an egg-cup for it; it would, therefore, appear to have been nearly as large as that of the Epyornis.

VOL. II.-34

In the Grallatores the feet are always formed for walking in the water; they are usually of great length, but the toes are never united by a membrane, in the same way as in the swimming birds. They are, however, sometimes surrounded by membraneous lobes, and in many cases furnished with a small web at the base. The great length of the legs is generally due to the elongation of the tarsi; but the tibiæ are also frequently very long, and generally bare of feathers for a greater or less extent. The naked portion of the tibiæ is covered with a reticulated skin, like that of the tarsi and toes; but in many cases the latter are more or less covered with horny plates or scutella. The toes are usually four in number-three in front and one behind; the latter varies greatly in its development, being sometimes very small, and sometimes even longer than the others; it is placed either on the same level with the anterior toes, or raised more or less upon the back of the tarsus. The anterior toes are usually elongated, and the two outer ones are often united together for a certain portion of their length.

The great length of the legs in the majority of these birds enables them to wade with facility in shallow water in search of the fish and other aquatic animals upon which they feed; hence the name of Grallatores or Waders applied to the order. In many cases, however, this does not apply; for the legs of several species are too short to be of any use to them in wading; while other species, in which the legs are much elongated, are inhabitants of dry situations, and are never found in the vicinity of water. Some species run upon the surface of floating aquatic plants, and others swim and dive with greater facility than many of the true Natatorial birds. They are all active birds, running with great swiftness, and usually possessing great power of flight.

The development of the neck keeps pace with that of the legs, and in most cases the beak also is of considerable length. The latter organ is almost always longer than the head, usually of an elongated conical form, sometimes almost cylindrical, and occasionally flattened and more or less dilated. The tongue is fleshy and usually triangular.

The wings are well developed, often of great size, and the birds are almost always powerful fliers, although many of them, when disturbed, appear to prefer trusting to their long legs to betaking themselves to the air. The plumage is soft, and bears a certain resemblance to that of the Natatorial birds, but the feathers are generally furnished with a distinct plumule.

The habits of these birds vary considerably. Most of them inhabit the vicinity of water or marshy places, where they wade about in search of aquatic animals, or walk upon the moist

ground or among the rank herbage, seeking for worms and insects. A few are found in dry situations, but their food is much of the same nature as that of their marsh-loving brethren, and very few appear to take any considerable portion of vegetable nourishment. Nearly all are valued for the table, and some are among the most delicious of viands. The following are included in this extensive and important order: the Rails, Jacanas, Snipes, Phalaropes, Sandpipers, Curlews, Ruffs, Tatlers, Stilts, Avocets, Spoon-Bills, Ibises, Storks, Cranes, Herons, Bitterns, Boat-Bills, Plovers, Oyster-Catchers, Pratincoles, Thick-Knees, Bustards, Trumpeters, &c.

THE RALLIDE OR RAILS.

In these the bill is short; the legs stout; the wings of moderate size, and in some genera armed

THE MOOR-HEN.

with spines at the carpal joint. They feed principally upon worms, mollusca, and insects; but many also eat a good deal of vegetable food, such as blades of grass and seeds. Some of them are solitary, others more or less gregarious in their habits. They build a large nest of dried grasses and sedges, placing it upon the ground among thick herbage; the eggs vary considerably in number, and the young are able to run, and frequently to swim, as soon as they are hatched.

Genus GALLINULA: Gallinula.-This embraces the European MOOR-HEN OF WATER-HEN, Poule d'eau of the French, G. chloropus, thirteen inches long; upper parts olive-brown; beneath uniform slate-gray. It lives among the reeds and sedges along the banks of rivers and

lakes, feeding on insects, worms, mollusca, and seeds. It is often seen on rivers, ponds, and lakes, swimming with a nodding motion of the head. When disturbed they will take a short flight, but prefer a retreat to the rushes and sedges. They sometimes perch on trees overhanging the water. This species is partially domesticated in some parts of England, and several broods have been hatched in the canal of St. James' Park, London. It is widely distributed over Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is sedentary in England.

There are several species in the United States. The PURPLE GALLINULE, G. Martinica, is

fourteen inches long; general color a rich violet-purple. It passes the summer in Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, retiring further south with its brood in autumn. It is a vigorous, active