Smith. — On Ocydromus auatralis. 131 



Art. XXVII. — On the Habits of Ocydromus australis. 



By W. W. Smith. 



Communicated by Dr. Buller, C.M.G., F.R.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 2oth November, 1885.] 



In offering some observations on the South Island Weka, I desire 

 to lay before the Society some account of the habits of this in- 

 teresting and useful species, as it exists at present in the more 

 settled districts. It is undeniable, and certainly to be deplored, 

 that in some localities this valuable bird is rapidly disappearing ; 

 not, however, from natural causes, as want of food or shelter, 

 but from the manner it is assailed and destroyed by man, 

 impelled by an ignorant and mistaken prejudice. Too much 

 cannot be said in favour of the Weka, and all prejudice would soon 

 be overcome, as anyone who would give a little attention to its 

 habits could soon observe. The mere destruction of a few eggs 

 in or near the poultry yard, or disturbing a few pheasants in 

 reserves, may be overlooked, compared to the inestimable 

 services they render in destroying vermin. 



The Weka's "struggle for existence" is greater than any 

 other native bird. Thousands perish annually in the fires which 

 sweep over large areas of tussock lands. It is mercilessly de- 

 stroyed with dog and gun, while numbers fall victims to poisoned 

 meats, laid for hawks ; but the most deadly enemies it will now 

 have to contend with are the recently-introduced stoats and 

 weasels ; and if these voracious and nimble little mammals 

 flourish in our country, not many generations will elapse before 

 the " last of the Wekas " "shall be recorded. 



In cultivated districts they are more wary and more nocturnal 

 in their habits, generally remaining concealed during the day in 

 gorse hedges, patches of scrub, or swamp, or in plantations of 

 English trees. In the evening they leave these haunts and 

 roam over the fields, feeding chiefly on worms, which they draw 

 from their burrows and consume in large numbers. They are of 

 great service to the squatters and farmers in consuming the 

 larvae of Odontria, which devastate lawns and English grass 

 paddocks. The larva? live beneath the surface of the soil, sub- 

 sisting on the roots of grasses. The roots are eaten close to the 

 surface, leaving the plant to shrivel and die, or to be blown away by 

 the wind. In the morning large patches may be seen fresh turned 

 over during the night, by the Weka digging out and consuming 

 them. When a brood is hatched near paddocks infested with these 

 grubs, the parent birds lead them there, and dig vigorously 

 over the ground, rooting them out with their powerful bill to 

 feed their young. If encouraged about homesteads, they are 

 heard during the night tapping on the walls of dwelling and 



