Reischek. — On the Habits of New Zealand Birds. 99 



This species is more active than the former two. The flight and 

 cry of the Kea is similar to that of the European Stone Eagle 

 (Aquila fulva). I saw them often at a great height, sailing 

 about, and then swooping down to the ground, where their 

 movements are very clumsy. These birds prefer the higher 

 regions near the glaciers, but in the winter, during the severe 

 snow storms, they come lower down. 

 Ardea. — Heron (Matuku). 



There are seven species in New Zealand, five of which feed 

 mostly on fish. But Ardea pceciloptila (Common Bittern) is 

 very useful in destroying numerous vermin. Dissecting a series, 

 I have found in their crops remains of rats ; even as many as 

 five in one bird. 

 Ocydromus. — Wood-hen (Weka). 



There are four species in New Zealand, which are destructive 

 to young domestic and wild birds, and their eggs ; but they are 

 useful in destroying vermin, as I have seen them often digging 

 in the ground and rotten wood for insects. They also destroy 

 rats, of which I have found the remains in their crops. Near 

 Lake B runner, a prospector had a rat and Maori hen as pets, 

 which would come every evening at tea-time to get their share, 

 and each one came when called by its name. Sometimes these 

 two quarrelled over food, and at last the Maori hen gave the rat 

 such a peck on the head that he tumbled over dead. 



Porphyrio melanotus, Temm. — Swamp-hen (Pokako). 



These birds are destructive to agriculturists, when too nume- 

 rous. As soon as the grain makes its appearance, they pull up 

 the young shoots and eat them ; consequently the farmers in 

 Canterbury gave a reward for their destruction. 



Sterna. — Sea Swallows (Tara). 



Five species in New Zealand, which are destructive to small 

 fish ; but Sterna antarctica (Common Tern) I found as far as 

 forty miles inland, following the plough, picking up the vermin, 

 or sitting on the fences watching for them. The two species of 

 Podiceps, found on the fresh-water lakes, feed mostly on small 

 fish and various insects ; they are not destructive, or do little 

 harm, if not too numerous, as the lakes will not become over- 

 stocked where fish are introduced. 



Dysporus serrator. — Gannet (Takapu). 



These birds are very destructive to fish, which they devour 

 in great numbers. It is amusing to watch a colony fishing near 

 their breeding resorts, constantly swooping down and rismg — 

 they swoop with such force at their prey that the water splashes 

 up several feet. I have often seen them catch so large a fish 

 that they were unable to rise, and had to let it go. 



