Extinction of the Moa

Abstract

THE very interesting article on the Moa in your issue of July 6th by Dr. Hector adds considerably to the facts already ascertained as to its existence along with man, and also as to the probability of its recent disappearance. Visiting in 1866 and 1867 many of the places mentioned by the Doctor in the Middle Island, I had opportunities of seeing portions of their remains in various conditions, either in caves, river sides, or in the open country where cultivation was going on, or on the sides of the hills in the interior, and certainly the impression produced was, that not perhaps more than fifty years had elapsed since some of the remains had formed part of living birds.