Reischek. — On Puffinus assimilis. 95 



Abt. XVII. — Observations on Puffinus assimilis [Gould), 

 Totorore, their Habits and Habitats. 



By A. Reischek, F.L.S. 

 [Read before the Auckland Institute, 21st September, 1885.] 



As far as I know, this species has not been previously re- 

 corded from New Zealand, I therefore devoted extra attention 

 to it, during my seasonal researches from 1880 until 1885, to 

 find out if it is distinct from any of the local species. The first 

 time I met with this Puffin was in December, 1880, on Morotiri 

 Island, in a burrow, together with the Tuatara lizard (Sphenoclon 

 punctatum) ; the lizard I found generally in the first chamber 

 from the entrance, and the bird in the second. I have seen 

 adult, young birds, and eggs, together with the Tuatara lizard, 

 in a burrow. 



On my return to Auckland, in 1881, T. Cheeseman, F.L.S., 

 and I, examined these birds carefully, and found they were 

 dissimilar to any of the Puffins already described in New Zea- 

 land, but agreed with the description and measurements of 

 Puffinus assimilis (Gould) as given by Gould in his book, "Birds 

 of Australia." He says, "the specimens I procured were caught 

 on Norfolk Island, where it is said to breed, consequently the 

 seas washing the eastern shores of Australia might be considered 

 its native habitats ; it is evidently the representative of Puffinus 

 obscurus, of Europe. On my homeward voyage from Australia, 

 I saw numerous examples, flying off to the north-eastern end of 

 New Zealand, and this, I regret to say, is all the information I 

 have to communicate respecting it." 



As I had not sufficient knowledge and material then collected 

 by my first observation, I determined to observe them carefully, 

 and secure a series of specimens, which you see here, aud which 

 I have obtained in the past four years. 



Puffinus assimilis (Gould). — This little bird comes ashore in 

 October to clean out its burrows, or make fresh ones, which 

 process male and female accomplish together, with their bills 

 and feet. The entrance is from 4 inches in diameter, and 

 from 3 to 4 feet to the chamber, sometimes in a winding 

 direction. In most cases I have found two chambers, similar 

 in size to those already described, in which there is a deepen- 

 ing, covered with a few leaves and grass, where the female 

 lays, end of October or early in November, one white egg, 2-1 

 inches long, 1*3 wide. Both parents assist in hatching and 

 rearing the young. Their habits, during the breeding season, are 

 similar to those of the ProcellaridcB family, previously fully 

 described. The young birds are full-grown in February, when 

 the Natives collect them for food, and they are delicious eating. 



