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Webster 1913 Edition


Hesperornis


Hesˊpe-ror′nis

,
Noun.
[NL., fr. Gr. [GREEK] western + [GREEK], [GREEK], a bird.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of large, extinct, wingless birds from the Cretaceous deposits of Kansas, belonging to the Odontornithes. They had teeth, and were essentially carnivorous swimming ostriches. Several species are known. See Illust. in Append.