184 Transactions. — Zoology. 



sometimes get stung and die. Furthermore, the bees occupy 

 the breeding resorts of Psittacidce. Settlers and Natives told me 

 they found kaka eggs, and young parakeets, in the honey-comb 

 of wild bees on the mainland. 



On Hauturu Island there are no bees : the chief, Tenetahi, 

 would not allow them to be landed, as he wished to protect the 

 birds. There is one drawback — viz., wild pigs and cats, which 

 are very destructive. The former root all the ground-birds out, 

 and devour them ; the latter watch night and day for their 

 prey. But these two pests a good marksman with well-trained 

 dogs could soon put a stop to. If the members of this Institute 

 are in favour of obtaining Hauturu Island for preserving and 

 protecting the Native birds, from my knowledge, and after many 

 years studying the habits of New Zealand birds, I could not 

 recommend a more favourable place. It would be of great 

 benefit to science and agriculture to have such a means of 

 preventing the extinction of these remarkable birds, which, as 

 they multiplied, could easily be transferred to the mainland for 

 the purpose of checking the insect pests ; and if my aid in the 

 project is of any use, I will be most happy to procure (gratis) 

 live specimens of both sexes of Apteryx (kiwi) and Stringops 

 (kakapo), if the Committee will provide me with cages and 

 arrange for the transport, before or when I am again on the 

 West Coast, about December next. The insectivorous birds and 

 honey-eaters could be fed during transport on mashed potatoes, 

 and common biscuits soaked in water, with sugar, and a few 

 meal-worms or ant-eggs. As I expect to be away on another 

 expedition, I have asked Professor Thomas if he would kindly 

 read this paper for me ; and if members wish to ask any ques- 

 tions in reference to these observations, I will be most happy to 

 reply. 



The above is written from my personal observations and 

 facts. 



Art. XXII. — Notes on Ornithology. 



By A. Keischek, F.L.S. 



[Read before tlw Auckland Institute, 18th October, 1886.] 



Petroica toi-toi — Pie-tit {Miro-miro). 



This beautiful little bird is a native of the North Island, but 

 on the mainland is becoming scarce. I found a few pairs in the 

 Tangahuia Ranges in 1879, in the Tokatca and Waitakerei 

 Ranges in 1880, and in Pirougia, Eaugitoto and Mokau Ranges 

 in 1882. They are more plentiful, however, on certain islands 



