Buller. — Notes on Neio Zealand Birds. 71 



Spiloglaux novae -zealandige, Gmelin. (The New Zealand 

 Owl.) 



The Morepork is so strictly nocturnal in its hahits that I 

 ought to make special mention of one which has taken up its 

 abode in a small clump of bush near my homestead on the 

 Papaitonga Lake. This bird may be heard calling at all hours 

 of the day, even in the broad daylight, and is frequently 

 visible as he moves noiselessly from tree to tree. In this 

 little bush reserve I am endeavouring to cultivate the native 

 flora from all parts of the Island, and the Maoris facetiously 

 say that this particular owl lias stationed himself there to keep 

 guard over " Maui's Garden." This diurnal character is quite 

 exceptional ; although even in my own garden on Wellington 

 Terrace I have known a Morepork on a dull afternoon, but 

 in broad daylight, truss a sparrow in its talons and bear it off, 

 causing consternation to the whole community of sparrows 

 far and wide, who undoubtedly have the power of conveying 

 information to one another, and assemble accordingly in a sort 

 of noisy indignation meeting. 



I found this little Owl very numerous in the Fagus forests 

 of the interior, its nervous call always commencing as soon as 

 the gloom of evening covers the silent woods. During wet 

 nights it appears to feed on the large brown beetle (Prionophis 

 reticularis), which flies in the rain. 



Sceloglaux albifacies, Gray. (The Laughing Owl.) 



This fine Owl is now on the verge of extinction ; indeed, I 

 have made such persistent efforts all over the country to 

 obtain specimens, since my return from Europe about three 

 years ago, that I think it highly probable the single live pair 

 which I have been fortunate enough to procure will be the last 

 we shall ever get. These have been sent to England, and will 

 be kept in an aviary specially prepared for them. Seeing that 

 the single bird belonging to the Canterbury Acclimatisation 

 Society lived in confinement some eighteen years, and .laid an 

 unfertilised egg (now in the Canterbury Museum) shortly 

 before its death, we may reasonably hope that my captive 

 birds will breed in their new home, and that in this way the 

 race will be perpetuated. 



Mr. W. W. Smith, of Ashburton, who has been indefatig- 

 able in his efforts to obtain specimens for me, writes from 

 Oamaru, " The species inhabited this district plentifully forty 

 years ago, but has now entirely disappeared. I have gathered 

 the castings for miles around., buried in the sand or dust 

 covering the bottom of fissures in the rocks." He attributes 

 the final extirpation of this fine bird to the introduction by the 

 Government of the weasel for the suppression of the rabbit 

 nuisance. 



