The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-09-20


When the Mascarene Islands were
first visited in the year 1850, some large
birds were found that have since gone
the way of the dodo. One of the most
interesting was giant rail, called by
Schlegel the Galliniula gigantea. 1t
was a wingless bird of elegant shape,
standing high on long stilt-like legs.
with enormous toes, recalling the Gu
rious jacana. Its height was over six
feet. From various sources it is found
that the natives hunted it on foot, run
ming it down until it was finally exter-
minated, the last one being seen in
1894, about forty-four years after its
discovery by the whites.
As regards bulk the giant Moas or
wingless birds of New Zealand were the
largest ground birds that we are ia
miliar with. The large stwere about ten
feet in height, and according to some
authors they attained stature of thir-
teen feet. They have been extinct
about six hundred years. The tradi-
tons and songs of the Maori all re er
to the size, strength and wonderful
plumage of the great birds. Accord
ing to the natives the head and tail
were adorned with beautiful plumes,
that were only worn by the great chiefs
| among their ancestors. and considered
badges of distinction.
Not only did the Maori seem in
| formed concerning the great birds, but,
according to the Rev. w. Colenso, +.
G. S.. they averred that the birds were
still alive. He says: "While at Waiapu
l heard from the natives of a certain
monstrous animal. While some said it
was bird, and others a person, all
agreed that it was called q Moa; that
in general appearance it somewhat
resembled an immense domestic cock,
with the difference, however, of its
having face like a mans; that it lived
on air, and that it was attended or
guarded by two immense tuataras, who,
argus-like, kept incessant watch while
the Moa slept. Also that if any one
ventured to approach the dwelling of
this wonderful creature, he would in
variably be trampled on and killed by
it."
Although the Moa has undoubtedly
passed away, there have been some dis
coveries made that fix the date of their
extinction not so far in the past as gen.
orally supposed. A piece of dried Moa
skin was found in 1874 in crevice of
the rocks at Knobby Ranges, New Zea-
land, also several bones having dried
ligament upon them, and perfect
feather, the color of the barb of which
was a chestnut red, the rounded portion
of the tip being white. An old Maori
at Port Nicholson, being asked had he
ever seen Moa, replied: Eyes, he
had seen the last one that had been
heard Of" and on being questioned,
described it as very large bird, with
a neck like that of horse.
Though the Moa seems quite large
enough for all purposes, there existed
at the same time, if we may believe the
evidence of remains found with them,
a bird of prey-a gigantic eagle that
could have carried off the largest Moa
This roc-like creature was the harpa-
gornis.
Perhaps the most interesting ques-
ton in regard to these huge birds is
that of their extinction. Mr.. B. S.
Booth a member of the New Zealand
Institute, has paid much attention to
the subject and has thrown much light
upon it. One of the most remarkable
of his discoveries ofthe remains of these
giants was in what is known as the Moa
Swamp at Hamilton, New Zealand.
The bones were deposited principally in
the northeastern part of the lagoon, in
a space exactly the shape of half
moon, forty feet from point to point,
eighteen feet across the center, and
ranging from two to four feet deep.
He estimates that nearly seven tons
of bones were taken out of this small
space, most of which were badly de-
composed, and that the number Of in
dividual birds could not have been less
than four hundred. The bones lay in
every imaginable place and position.
A great quantity of quartz gravel and
smooth pebbles occurred among the
bones, and in the shallowest part of the
deposit, under pelves or breast-bones
that had not been disturbed, they lay
in heaps and punches. There was no
gravel in the lagoon, except among the
bones, and no small gutter or water
course could be found by which it might
have come in. The only apparent ex-
PLANTATION of the presence of the pebbles
is that they were brought there in the
gizzards of the great birds. This theo-
ry is supported by numerous instances
where similar Moa bones have been
found over such deposits. In the swamp.
that seemed veritable graveyard for
these extinct feathered giants, the top
bones were in by far the best condition,
and, curiously enough, there were a
large number that had been broken,
wounded and healed. There were no
bones found here of young birds, nor
fragments of eggs. Mr.. Booth shows
that the remains could not have been
deposited by running water, neither
could the Moas have been surrounded
and driven in there in such numbers by
sweeping fires; they could not have been
begged, certainly not the latter ones
with two or three feet of solid bone I'M
der them; and that the bodies were not
thrown there by savages, is shown be-
yond a doubt, as not q trace of their
work is found, not a hacked or