Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/41

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We obtained only portions of one single specimen from Glenmark, which agree closely with the figures and measurements given by Professor Owen. It is remarkable that there were no more, considering the large quantity of bones of other species dug out.

Well preserved parts of another species of the same were obtained at Heathcote, near the foot of Banks Peninsula, from a drain five or six feet deep, cut in sandy loam (silt). The bones are a little smaller than Professor Owen’s figure, but still they are larger than those found in a cave in the Province of Nelson, and from which Dr. Jaeger, in Vienna, constructed his cast. For comparison I append the measurements of the Heathcote specimen:

The metatarsus has the hollow for the attachment of the back trachlea well marked, and the general character of the bones shows clearly that they belonged to a well-developed strong (male?) bird.

Of this elegant species, three more or less complete specimens were found amongst the excavated bones, which agree in every respect with Professor Owen’s figures. For comparison I shall give the measurements of the best preserved specimen:

This species, of which I obtained portions of six specimens, agrees also perfectly with Professor Owen’s drawings; only the tibia is generally a trifle longer. It is rather remarkable that ''Pal. ingens and Din. struthioides and gracilis'' are of such rare occurrence, when we consider what a great quantity of bones of the other species were found associated with them: