THE forgotten world of an extinct bird is being recreated by schoolchildren as part of a series of Easter activities at a museum.

The moa was a large, flightless bird that lived in the lowland forests of the islands of New Zealand. It became extinct in the late 1700s or early 1800s.

The Yorkshire Museum, in York, has a moa skeleton which is nearly 7ft. The artistic team from York Art Gallery have taken inspiration from the moa to devise a week of creative activities for children on the theme Exploring Forgotten Worlds.

The activities got under way yesterday and by next week, a moa and its forest home will have been created using recycled materials.

Youngsters will also create the forest backdrop, the undergrowth, creepy crawlies, and a giant moa will be built using wood, wire and willow.

The moa skeleton is part of the preview gallery for the Yorkshire Museum's new exhibition, Dust off the Dodo - Fabulous Finds that Time Forgot, which will fully open on May 15.

Published: 08/04/2004