Dieffenbach's rail (Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii) is an extinct flightless species of bird from the family Rallidae. It was endemic to the Chatham Islands and referred to as meriki, or mehoriki, by the indigenous Moriori. The only recorded living specimen of Dieffenbach's rail was captured in 1840 by Ernst Dieffenbach, who is commemorated in the scientific and common name of the species. It became extinct due to hunting and introduced predators, perhaps soon after 1840. * Various views of the skull of Dieffenbach's rail * Lateral view * Dorsal view * Ventral view * Oblique view