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DINORNIS GRACILISOWEN.
- Dinornis gracilis Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV (1855) p. 141.
- D. torosus Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 117 (1892).
If we acknowledge that D. novaezealandiae occurs both on the North and Middle Islands, then I feel sure that the distinctness of D. gracilis and D. torosus cannot be maintained, as the measurements intergrade completely.
The type of D. gracilis came from Wanganui, while that of D. torosus is 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.
- Dinornis dromioides Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III. p. 235 (1843).
- Palapteryx dromioides Reichenbach, Nat. Syst. der Vög. p. XXX (1850).
- Palapteryx plenus Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXIV p. 122 (1892).
This form also inhabited both islands, but was probably one of the rarest. The type of D. dromioides came from Poverty Bay, and that of P. plenus from Glenmark.
Habitat: New Zealand.
DINORNIS NOVAEZEALANDIAEOWEN.
- Dinornis novaezealandiae Owen, P.Z.S. (1843) p. 8.
- D. struthioides Owen, Trans. Zool. Soc. III p. 244 (1844).
- D. strennus Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. XXV p. 8 (1893).
Professor Owen changed 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.
