The dodo was in existence fifty years ago, the moa about a hundred years ago.

These great birds, together with others, such as the epiornis and palapteryx, have disappeared, not through the ordinary course of nature, but by the hand of man.

Even in our hemisphere they may yet be found.

Who can tell but that the moa or the dodo may yet be lurking somewhere here in the interior of Madagascar, of Borneo, or of Papua ?" "Can you make out anything about those great birds ?" asked Featherstone.

"Do they resemble anything that exists now, or has ever existed ?" "Well, yes, I think so," said the doctor.