| notornis | <ornithology> 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. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. The south, or southwest + bird. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|