Dictionary entry

Notornis

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖No‐tor″nis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. νότοσ the south, or southwest + � bird.] (Zoöl.) A genus of birds allied to the gallinules, but having rudimentary wings and incapable of flight. Notornis Mantelli was first known as a fossil bird of New Zealand, but subsequently a few individuals were found living on the southern island. It is supposed to be now nearly or quite extinct.