Cheeseman. — Marine Reptilia in N.Z. Waters. 267 



Art. XX. — Notes on the Occurrence of certain Marine Reptilia 

 in New Zealand Waters. 



By T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Curator of the Auckland 



Museum. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, 12th December, 1907.] 

 In studying the fauna of any country considerable interest 

 always attaches to those species which, though not regular 

 inhabitants, occasionally visit it, frequently straying far from 

 their proper homes. In the case of the birds of New Zealand, 

 there is quite a long list of species which have been recorded 

 as stragglers or wanderers, such as the Australian shrike 

 {Graucalus melanops), the wattled honey -eater (Acanthochcera 

 carunculata), the Australian swallow (Petrochelidon nigricans), 

 the Australian roller {Eunjstomus australis), and many others. 

 Full particulars respecting the occurrence of these species will 

 be found in Sir W. L. Buller's classic volumes on the " Birds 

 of New Zealand " ; and, in addition, a considerable number 

 of short papers relating to the subject are contained in the 

 volumes of the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute." 



It is not so well known, however, that certain marine 

 Reptilia visit the coasts of the northern portion of New Zealand, 

 the species being two turtles or Chelonians, and two water- 

 snakes of the family Hydrophino?. One of the latter occurs so 

 frequently as almost to justify its inclusion as a regular member 

 of the fauna. 



As hardly anything has been definitely put on record 

 respecting the occurrence of these species, it appears to me 

 that it is desirable to mention the instances that have come 

 under my own notice. If other observers will do the same 

 we may arrive at more certain conclusions respecting the 

 frequency of the visits of the species, and the circumstances 

 attending them. 



I. Leathery Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). 



1. In vol. xxv of the " Transactions of the New Zealand 

 Institute," p. 108, I have recorded the first instance of the 

 capture of this species (in 1892) in New Zealand waters. 

 I need not repeat the particulars here, beyond saying that 

 the specimen was obtained in the vicinity of Cape Brett by 

 Captain Subritzky, of the schooner " Medora," and was brought 

 up to Auckland for exhibition. Its total length was a little 

 over 6 ft. 



