144 Transactions. — Botany. 



The following land birds were noticed on the Great King : — 

 The common hawk (Circus gouldi), morepork (Athene novce- 

 zealandia), kingfisher (Halcyon vagans), tui (Prosthemadera 

 nova-zealandm), white-eye (Zosterops lateralis), utick (Sphe- 

 nceacus punctatus), grey warbler (Gerygone flaviventris), ground 

 lark (Anthus nova-zealandia) , pied fantail (Rhipidura jiabelli- 

 fera), red-fronted parrakeet (Platycercus nova-zealandia), quail 

 (Coturnix novai-zealandim). Of the last mentioned I saw two 

 individuals, and another one was seen by Mr. Percy Smith and 

 Mr. Hazard. Its occurrence on the Three Kings was quite 

 unexpected ; and as it is nearly, if not altogether, extinct on the 

 mainland, we may congratulate ourselves that it has been found 

 in a locality where it is likely to remain undisturbed for many 

 years to come. Besides the species named above, another one 

 is common which I failed to identify. It is about the size of 

 the bell-bird, and has much of its appearance and habits, but 

 the under-parts are greyish-white, and the song is altogether 

 different. I regret that I was unable to obtain a specimen, for 

 there is little doubt that it will prove to be an addition to our 

 lists. 



The Three Kings were discovered in 1643 by the celebrated 

 Dutch navigator Tasman. As his account of the discovery is 

 very little known, and as it possesses some interest from 

 proving that the islands were inhabited in his time, I will quote 

 it here : — 



" January 4, 1643. This morning we were near a cape of 

 land (Cape Maria van Diemen), and had an island N.W. by N. 

 from us. We hoisted the white flag for the officers of the 

 Zeehaan to come on board, and we resolved to stand for the 

 island to look for fresh water and greens. We find a strong 

 current setting westward, and much sea from the N.E., from 

 which we hope to find a clear passage eastward. In the 

 evening we were near the island, but could not observe that 

 anything we wanted might be got here. 



" The 5th, in the morning, we had little wind and a calm 

 sea. About noon, we sent Francis Jacobsz in our shallop, and 

 the supercargo, Mr. Gillemans, in the Zeehaurts boat to the 

 island, to try if fresh water could be got. In the evening they 

 returned, and reported that they had been in a safe small bay 

 where fresh water came in abundance from a high mountain ; 

 but that there was a groat surf on the shore, which would make 

 watering there troublesome and dangerous. They rowed further 

 round about this island to look if there was any more convenient 

 place. Upon the highfist mountain of the island they saw 35 

 persons, who were very tall, and had staves or clubs. These 

 people called to them in a strong rough voice. When they 

 walked, they took very large strides. On other parts of the 

 island a few people were seen here and there, which, with those 



