Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Notornis \No*tor"nis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the south, or
   southwest + ? bird.] (Zo["o]l.)
   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.

Source : WordNet®

notornis
     n : flightless New Zealand birds similar to gallinules [syn: {takahe},
          {Notornis mantelli}]