Ap′te-ryx
,
[Gr.
ἀ
priv. +
πτέρυξ
wing. Cf.
Aptera
.]
(Zool.)
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.