Handly. — On some Species of New Zealand Birds. 365 



Swamp-crake (Orfygometra affinis). 

 Very rare. 



Swamp-hen [Porphyrio vielanotus, Linn.). 



A rapidly-diminishing species. Albinoes are frequently 

 reported. 



Paradise-duck [Casarca variegata, Gml.) ; Little Teal {Qner- 

 quedula gibberifrons, Miiller) ; Brown Duck {Anas 

 chlorotis, Gray) ; Grey Duck (A. superciliosa, Gml.) ; 

 Shoveller Duck {Blujnchaspis variegata, Gould) ; Blue 

 Mountain-duck [Hi/nienolcemus malacorhynciiiis, Gould) ; 

 Black Teal {Fuligida novcz-zealandice, Gml.). 



The paradise-duck was formerly more numerous in this 

 province than, owing to the progress of drainage and the con- 

 sequent extension of agriculture, it is at present, though still 

 by far the most abundant species. 



Lake Grassmere, though little more than a lagoon, about 

 three miles in diameter, situated along the coast between the 

 Awatere Eiver and Cape Campbell, and Lake Rae, situated in 

 the open country between the Awatere and Clarence, and 

 generally known as the Salt Lakes, are now its chief haunts. 

 In the early days very heavy bags were obtained. 



The Wairau lagoons, which cover an area of country equal 

 to eight square miles, was in the early days alive with them 

 during the shooting season, and " shootists " from all parts 

 were there to be found congregated, with punts, swivel-guns, 

 and every other gun guaranteed to kill. The result was that the 

 birds were slaughtered by thousands to supply the Wellington 

 market. This went on for years, till the local acclimatisation 

 society prayed the Governor to proclaim it a protected area. 

 This was granted, and now large flocks maybe seen disporting 

 themselves on the placid waters. 



Of the remaining species none require any particular 

 notice. The shoveller, or spoonbill, as known locally, is most 

 generally found frequenting the two chief lagoons before men- 

 tioned. I recently examined a stuffed albino shot in the 

 Awatera the general colouring of which resembled that of 

 a silver-grey Hamburg fowl, the wings and neck being of 

 a beautiful mottled silvery-grey. The bill was abnormally 

 large and deeply coloured. 



The range of the blue mountain-duck is restricted to the 

 foamy mountain-torrents amid the lonely fastnesses of the 

 Clarence, and the Kaikouras, although a few frequent the 

 Awatere. 



The little teal and black teal are the rarest species ; and 

 of the remaining species the grey duck is the commonest. 



