| apteryx | <ornithology> A genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, with only short rudiments of wings, armed with a claw and without a tail; the kiwi. It is allied to the gigantic extinct moas of the same country. Five species are known. Origin: Gr. Priv. + wing. Cf. Aptera. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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