116 Transactions. — Zoology. 



such as cannot be attained otherwise, besides the saving of 

 time, which is of great importance. In regard to Kesolution 

 and Secretary Islands, there are three possible faults in them, 

 which would impair or nullify their value for reserves : 1st, 

 their roughness and size may preclude the exercise of due 

 supervision over them ; 2nd, their shores may be too close to 

 that of the mainland, so that they may not have a sufficient 

 breadth of water to keep out noxious beasts ; 3rd, pigs, dogs, or 

 cats may have run wild in them. This seems the strongest 

 objection that could be raised, and would be conclusive against 

 the choice of them for reserves ; but the two former might 

 be overcome. Apart from this last objection, these islands are 

 peculiarly suitable for birds, such as pigeons, kakas, ducks, 

 and particularly kiwis, that require a wide range. I have 

 omitted certain sea-fowl from the foregoing list, as they would 

 be better protected throughout New Zealand against all ex- 

 cessive and wanton destruction, particularly in the breeding 

 places. The birds referred to are the Penguins, Puffins 

 (Shearwaters), Gannet, and some species of Petrel. 



Protection for these birds is desirable, because, like the 

 Fulmar, Guillemot, and other sea-birds of the British Islands. 

 they are of value for their flesh, skins, feathers, and eggs. The 

 Penguins, some of which are peculiar to Campbell and Macquarie 

 Islands, may be taken as the southern representatives of the 

 Auks, one species (167, Aptenodytes pennantii), being comparable 

 in size to the Great Auk (Alca impennis), which was formerly ex- 

 tremely abundant in the North Atlantic, but is now believed to be 

 extinct, having been extirpated for the sake of its flesh and eggs. 



I have not, disregarded the possible change involved in the 

 removal of birds from the mainland to islands, having indicated in 

 a previous paper several points bearing on this question. These, 

 however, may all be said to be reducible to one, that of the 

 vegetation ; and if this is in character and luxuriance like that 

 of the parts from whence the birds are taken, there would pro- 

 bably be no further difficulty. 



The presence or absence of various birds, named in this list, 

 would be a good test of their fitness for this purpose. I may men- 

 tion some reasons for preserving indigenous birds, to show that 

 this is not a question of sentiment only. They are as follows : — 



First, the preservation of the birds under conditions that will 

 enable their habits to be studied, as could not otherwise be done. 



Second, the increase of rare birds, so as to enable museums, 

 etc., that could not otherwise obtain them, to be supplied with 

 specimens. This use of reserves would have to be guarded with 

 extreme care to prevent any abuse of it, lest any birds should be 

 unduly reduced m numbers or exterminated thereby. 



Third, the preservation of birds that are useful as game, or 

 capable of domestication, particularly such as the Takahe, which 



