Hill. — The Moa — Legendary, Historical, and Geological. 345 



rated sliow that moa-remains are found from sea-level to an elevation among 

 the mountains exceeding 3,000 ft., and throughout an extensive district 

 containing rocks representing various geological periods. The localities are 

 classed under the following periods : (1 .) Lowest coast sands, correspond- 

 ing to the high-level gravels or oldest Pleistocene, containing bone, egg -shells. 

 and chicks. (2.) Footprints and fossil feathers, corresponding to high-level 

 gravels and lowest sand-deposits. (3.) Swamps, Te Aute : abundance of 

 bones : period, Pleistocene, corresponding to moa feather and footprint 

 period. (4.) On Pliocene country: Havelock, Maraekakaho, Napier, Pohui, 

 Puketitiri, and Petane. (5.) Miocene country : Anaro.a, Makotuku, left 

 bank of Manawatu, Ngapaeruru, Wimbledon, Mohaka, and Waikare. 

 (6.) Secondary rocks : Tarawera, Matawai, Motu country. (7.) In caves 

 among Tertiary rocks : Upper Hangaroa, Waikaremoana, Mirumaru, 

 Pohui, Mangatu, Mangaone, Mount Hikurangi, Mangatoro Valley. (8.) In 

 high-level shingle conglomerates, at the south end of the Whakapunake 

 Range. 



The distribution of bones and complete skeletons, some in caves and 

 others in the open country, suffices to indicate that in general the surface 

 features of the land have not altered to any large extent since the times 

 of the moa. The great plain formations and river-basins have changed 

 considerably, but the general features of the country, except the forest 

 area, have undergone no distinctive change other than in the formation of 

 new river-basins and the growth of plains like those of Heretaunga, Poverty 

 Bay, Ruataniwha, and Wairoa. Thus it is certain that — (a) the moa was 

 living previous to the plain deposits such as now exist ; (b) it was living 

 in Pleistocene times ; (c) it roamed over the hill country through a district 

 extending for 350 miles 3 and at elevations from sea-level to 3,000 ft. or 

 more ; (d) although moa-bones are found in numerous caves of different 

 ages, there is no evidence that the caves were used for shelter at intervals ; 

 (e) it lived at a time when conditions existed for the accumulation of many 

 bird-skeletons within a single water area or swamp. 



Had there been human beings or native dogs in the country during the 

 moa period it is difficult to understand the large bone-accumulations such 

 as are met with in swamps, in caves, and other areas, and it is more diffi- 

 cult to understand why moas under ordinary conditions should have con- 

 gregated in caves and have died there. 



In the Hangaroa district, near to the place traversed by the Rev. 

 William Colenso in 1841-42, a cave was lately discovered and explored by 

 me containing several perfect skeletons of the moa. The entrance had been 

 long closed by a deposit of pumice sand when first visited. All the appear- 

 ances suggested that the birds had sought the cave for shelter and safety 

 from some danger that beset them, and that the entrance had been closed 

 by the loose pumice sands sliding from overlying rocks, leaving the birds to 

 die a lingering death. Since Colenso's visit many bones of the moa have 

 been found within the Hangaroa River basin, in which the celebrated peak 

 called Whakapunake is situated. The country has scores of rock shelters 

 and potholes leading to underground caves, which are numerous, and no 

 doubt many great finds of moa-bones will be made as the country becomes 

 more settled. 



At Pohui, on the Napier-Taupo Road, many specimens of the moa 

 have been found among the large limestone rock-masses and caves that 

 occur along the east valley and deep gorges at the foot of the Te Waka 

 Range. 



