112 Transactions. — Zoology. 



These animals inhabit plains, mountains, and forests, hiding 

 in burrows or under stones or in thick hedges ; and I also found 

 them in farm-houses, where they had a dry place of conceal- 

 ment, and where they make a nest of grass and moss to sleep. 



In the month of June, in Austria, the female brings forth 

 after five weeks from four to eight young, which she protects 

 with great bravery. The family stay together till the winter. 



Mustela vulgaris. — Common Weasel. 



This pretty little animal has the same habits and habitats as 

 its ally the stoat, and is not behind it in bloodthirstiness. If 

 the larger carnivorous animals were as courageous and vicious 

 as these, they would soon reduce materially the limits of animal 

 life. 



Art. XXII. — The Protection of Native Birds. 



By Hugh Martin. 



[Read before the Nelsoii Philosophical Society, 2nd March, 1885.] 



Birds peculiar to New Zealand that should be preserved in 

 island reserves : — 



A. — Birds inhabiting the Mainland. 



4. Athene albifacies. — Whekau, Laughing Owl. South 

 Island, and Kaimanawa Range in North Island. 



9. Pogonornis cincta. — Hihi, Matakiore, Stitchbird. North 

 Island. 



10. Prosthemadera nova-zealandia. — Tui. Both Islands ; also, 

 Auckland and Chatham Islands. 



11. Anthornis melanura. — Korimako. Both Islands, and 

 Auckland Islands. Bare in many parts. 



32. Turnayra crassirostris. — Piopio, Southern Thrush. South 

 Island. Now rare, and in many parts extinct. 



33. T. hectori. — Piopio, Northern Thrush. Southern part of 

 North Island. 



37. Glaucopis vilsoni. — Kokako, Blue-wattled Crow. North 

 Island. Very irregular in distribution. 



38. 6r. cinerea. — Kokako, Orange-wattled Crow. South 

 Island. Very irregular in distribution. 



40. Creadion carunculatus. — Tieke, Saddle - back. Both 

 Islands. Flight feeble. 



41. Heteralocha acutirostris. — Huia. South part of North 

 Island, in Ruahine, Tararua, and Bimutaka Ranges. 



42. Stringops habroptilus. — Kakapo. Both Islands and 

 Chatham Islands. Incapable of flight. Very rare. 



47. Nestor meridionalis. — Common Kaka. Both Islands. 



