notornis

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: no=tor=nis

CIDE DICTIONARY

notornis, prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. no`tos the south, or southwest + bird.].

 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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

notornis, n. a rare flightless New Zealand bird, Porphyrio mantelli, with a large bill and brightly coloured plumage. Also called TAKAHE.

Etymology

Gk notos south + ornis bird