_Cabalus_ Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. Vol. VI p. 108, pl. XX (1874--Type
and unique species _Cabalus modestus_).
Captain Hutton characterized his new genus as follows: "Bill longer than
the head, moderately slender and slightly curved, compressed in the middle
and slightly expanding towards the tip; nostrils placed in a membranous
groove which extends beyond the middle of the bill, openings exposed, oval,
near the middle of the groove. Wings very short, rounded; quills soft, the
outer webs as soft as the inner, fourth and fifth the longest, first nearly
as long as the second; a short, compressed claw at the end of the thumb.
Tail very short and soft, hidden by the coverts. Tarsi moderate, shorter
than the middle toe, flattened in front, and covered with transverse
scales; toes long and slender, inner nearly as long as the outer, hind toe
short, very slender, and placed on the inner side of the tarsus; claws
short, compressed, blunt.
"The bird is incapable of flight, and the stomach of the specimen,
dissected by Dr. Knox, contained only the legs and elytra of beetles."
Captain Hutton also adds, l.c., a valuable description of the skeleton.
One species known.