‖prop. n. [ NL., fr. Gr. no`tos the south, or southwest + &unr_; bird. ] (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. [ 1913 Webster ]