MOA BONES IN SAND

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1934, Page 7

MOA BONES IN SAND

SKELETON OF SMALL BIRD. DISCOVERY IN NORTH. Whangarei, May 19. The complete skeleton of a small moa is stated to have been found in 4he- sand dunes at Tokerau Beach, in Doubtless Bay, by Mr. E. T. Frost, of Lake Ohia, who was riding over the dunes at the time. The heavy gales that have prevailed duriing the past fortnight have removed a large quantity of sand from the dunes, and Mr. Frost discovered the bones of a moa projecting from a hitherto well covered spot. The skeleton was stated to be complete to the smallest detail. It is presumed that the bird had died while on its nest, for beneath is were the decomposed fragments of shell.

Mr. Frost has on previous occasions found the bones of other moa, but never before a complete specimen. The skeleton, when assembled, stood 4ft. 6in. in height. The director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Mr. Gilbert Archey, stated last evening that it was unusual to find a perfectly complete moa skeleton. Mr. Frost had not reported his discovery to the museum, but in the past he had forwarded to the museum moa bones found at Tokerau Beach.