It is a massive, clumsy bird, ungraceful in its form with heavy movements, wings too short for flight, little or no tail, and down rather than feathers.

The body, according to Bontius, is as big as that of the African ostrich, but the legs are very short.

It has a large head, great black eyes, long bluish-white bill, ending in a beak like that of a vulture, yellow legs, thick and short, four toes on each foot solid, long, and armed with sharp black claws.

The flesh particularly on the breast, is fat and esculent.

Now, all this corresponds with More's account, except as to the size of the two, for the opkuks are as large as oxen." "Oh, that's nothing," said Melick; "I'm determined to stand up for the dodo." With this he burst forth singing-- "Oh, the dodo once lived, but he doesn't live now; Yet why should a cloud overshadow our brow?
The loss of that bird ne'er should trouble our brains, For though he is gone, still our claret remains.
Sing do-do--jolly do-do! Hurrah! in his name let our cups overflow." "As for your definition, doctor," continued Melick, "I'll give you one worth a dozen of yours: "'Twas a mighty bird; those strong, short legs were never known to fail, And he felt a glory of pride while thinking of that little tail, And his beak was marked with vigor, curving like a wondrous hook; Thick and ugly was his body--such a form as made one look!" "Melick," said Featherstone, "you're a volatile youth.