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MEGALAPTERYX HECTORIHAAST.
- Megalapteryx hectori Haast, Trans. Zool. Soc. XII, p. 161 (1886); Lydekker, Cat. Fossil B. Brit. Mus., p. 252.
This form was described by Sir Julius von Haast as a gigantic Apteryx. This error arose from the absence of the skull. There is, however, no doubt now, since the skulls of Megalapteryx are known, that although sufficiently aberrant to form a distinct sub-family, the birds included in this genus are Dinornithidae and not Apterygidae.
Habitat: Middle Island, New Zealand.
MEGALAPTERYX HAMILTONISPEC. NOV.
- Lydekker, Cat. Fossil Birds in Brit. Mus., p. 252, under M. tenuipes (1891).
The type is a left femur, No. 32145 in the British Museum. It is smaller and relatively narrower than the femur, of either M. hectori or M. tenuipes. This is most noticeable at the distal extremity.
Habitat: North Island, New Zealand. (Type locality Waingongoro.)
Named after Mr. A. Hamilton, who did so much in discovering deposits of extinct New Zealand birds.
