No·tor·nis prop. n.  Zool. 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.
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  notornis
       n : flightless New Zealand birds similar to gallinules [syn: takahe,
            Notornis mantelli]