THE RHYNCHOCEPHALIA 7 



small scattered tubercles ; those on the ventral surface are 

 large and squarish, and arranged in transverse series. 



The colour is usually olive-grey with a few yellow dots ; 

 in a few cases it is nearly black ; the lobes of the dorsal crest 

 are whitish or yellowish. The males are no brighter than 

 the females, and have no other secondary sexual characters 

 than a somewhat bigger head, a higher dorsal crest, and a 

 somewhat larger size. 



Until fairly recently, Sphenodon was quite abundant in 

 many parts of South Island, but on the larger islands it is 

 now all but extinct, its extermination being due to coloni- 

 zation and the advent of domestic and commensal animals 

 such as pigs and rats ; it is now only to be found in the 

 smaller islands of the Bay of Plenty, where, after having 

 been much hunted for by zoological collectors and dealers, 

 it now fortunately enjoys Government protection. A 

 good illustration of the rapid extermination of this creature 

 lies in the fact that whereas twenty-five years ago a living 

 specimen could be purchased from almost any dealer for 

 twenty to thirty shillings, at the present time about fifteen 

 pounds represents its market value. 



The Tuatera lives in deep holes, which it generally digs 

 out itself, and in which it sleeps during the day, coming 

 out in search of food at dusk. These holes it often shares 

 with various kinds of Petrels, the Tuatera and the Petrel 

 building their nests separately, the former almost invariably 

 taking the right side of the chamber and the latter the left. 

 The chambers measure about two feet in length, one foot 

 in width, and six inches in depth, the entrance being only 

 about four inches in diameter. The creature always lies 

 in such a position that its head faces the entrance to the 



