Phili'OTT. — Birds of Suutli-western Otaijo. 223 



which time there was little activity at the inlet, I found that the black 

 weka had recovered to a great extent from its persecution, and was 

 to be found in fair numbers from the coast to the western bank of the 

 Wairaurahiri Eiver. On the east side of the river only a few were to be met 

 with. In the summer of 1916-17 the bird was found to be abundant to 

 the west of the Wairaurahiri, and common on the eastern side, occurring, 

 though in diminishing numbers, almost to BlueclifF. By the summer of 

 1917-18 they were common at Bluecliff and beyond, one or two being 

 heard within a few miles of the settlement of Papatotara. Even at the 

 top of the forest on the Hump Ridge a pair were present^ — the first seen 

 there by the writer, though the spot had been visited five or six times 

 since 1911. 



During the last spring and summer a plague of mice has occupied this 

 western forest. While an odd mouse or two might always be found about 

 the huts on the track, there has never been, in my experience, anything 

 approaching the number present on this occasion. They were everywhere — 

 ■on the sea-beach and the hill-tops, in the huts, on the track, and in the 

 dense bush. Very probably their numbers accounted in some degree for 

 the spread of the weka ; the birds were snap})ing them up on every oppor- 

 tunity, the victims being swallowed whole, head first. On the beach I saw 

 the wekas picking up many small crustaceans (sand-hoppers) ; the large 

 stag-beetles [Lissotes) also formed part of their diet. 



Stewart Island Weka [Gallirallus australis scotti Grant). 



In the back country of Stewart Island this species is still fairly common. 

 My experience with this bird leads me to regard it as much less vigorous 

 and enterprising than the black weka. 1 should imagine that the latter 

 species, if introduced into the same region, would soon exterminate the 

 former. 



PuKEKO {Porphyrio melanonotus stanleyi Rowley). 



The pukeko is one of our birds which is in danger of extinction. Few 

 -are to be found now, even in localities remote from settlement. 



ARDEIDAE. 

 White Heron {Herodias alba maoriana Mathews and Iredale). 



Two very fine specimens, in spring plumage, are in the Southland 

 Museum. These, I learn from Mr. James Hunter, were shot by Mr. J. Fox 

 at Kew, near the mouth of Kingswell's Creek, in the year 1875. As showing 

 that the bird was not then regarded as very rare, it may be mentioned that 

 the museum authorities purchased the skins for 10s. each. In the early 

 " eighties " the writer remembers seeing a white heron near the Waihopai 

 River, where the buildings of Collingwood now stand. 



White-fronted Heron {Notophoyx novaehollandiae Latham). 



The white-fronted heron is exceedingly rare, but a specimen was shot 

 near Invercargill during the present spring. 



Bittern [Botaurus poeciloj)tilus melanotus Grey). 



About ten or twelve years ago the bittern was not uncommon in swampy 

 localities near Invercargill. The draining and reclamation of these areas 

 has driven the bird farther back, and it is now rarely seen. 



