What is "notornis"

Notornis \No*tor"nis\, prop. n. [NL., fr. Gr. no`tos the south, or southwest + ? bird.] (Zo["o]l.) 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.

n. (context New Zealand English) The takahe, (taxlink Porphyrio mantelli species noshow=1), a flightless rail native to New Zealand. (from 19th c.)

n. flightless New Zealand birds similar to gallinules [syn: takahe, Notornis mantelli]