sb. pl. Ornith. [L. pl. of cursor runner: see above.] The name given by De Blainville, 1815–22, to an order of birds, containing the ostrich and its allies, which are incapable of flight, but are mostly swift runners. It corresponds to Merrem’s division Ratitæ.
1828. Stark, Elem. Nat. Hist., I. 283. Birds. Order XII.—Cursores.
1847. Carpenter, Zool., § 440. Of all the Cursores, the Apteryx of New Zealand appears to be the one which is most completely destitute of wings, and which departs most widely from the general type of the class of Birds.
