notornis

See also: Notornis

English

Etymology

From translingual Notornis (“a genus name”), from Ancient Greek νότος (nótos, “south”) + ὄρνις (órnis, “bird”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /nə(ʊ)ˈtɔːnɪs/

Noun

notornis

1. (New Zealand) The takahe, Porphyrio mantelli, a flightless rail native to New Zealand. [from 19th c.]
   • 1881, Walter L. Buller, “On the Notornis”, in Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute:

     The weather had been exceptionally severe, and it is supposed that this was how the Notornis came to be found on the flats, having been driven down from the high country.