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DINORNIS MAXIMUSOWEN.
- Dinornis maximus Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. VI. p. 497 (1868).
- D. excelsus Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV. p. 110 (1892).
- D. giganteus Haast, Trans. N.Z. Inst. I p. 88, No. 20 part.
This is the largest species of Moa, the tibio-tarsus being from 37.5 to 39.2 inches in length, while that of the largest D. giganteus does not exceed 35 inches, but by far the largest number of the latter are considerably shorter.
The type bones were obtained in Glenmark Swamp, Middle Island of New Zealand, and were sent to Professor Owen by Major J. Michael of the Madras Staff Corps. Casts of these bones are in the British Museum, No. A 161 in the Palaeontological Department.
This bird was the tallest of all known birds, though it must have been considerably exceeded in bulk by Aepyornis ingens and Aepyornis titan of Madagascar.
Locality: Glenmark Swamp, Middle Island, New Zealand.
DINORNIS ALTUSOWEN.
- Dinornis maximus Owen, Ext. Birds N.Z. p. 253 (Dr. Lillie's specimen) (1879).
- D. altus Owen, Ext. Birds N.Z. (1879) p. 361.
- D. giganteus var maximus Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. VI p. 497 (1868).
Only known by a tarso-metatarsus, femur and tibio-tarsus from the Middle Island, New Zealand. The bones at once noticeable by their great length, and are more slender than the same bones in D. maximus. This form must therefore, till further material comes to hand, be treated as a separate species.
Locality: Middle Island, New Zealand. Collected by Dr. Lillie.
