100 Mr. J. Haast on the Birds of New Zealand. 



came up close under our counter, and then rose and flew just 

 like Quails. Sir George says he knows them well, but cannot re- 

 call the name ; he sent them to Mr. Gould some years ago, and 

 I think I remember them being figured in his ' Birds of Aus- 

 tralia.^ Sir George says they are very local, this being their chief 

 habitat ; we saw no others either before or after passing these 

 islands*. 



September 26. — We anchored last night under Rangitato, a 

 large volcanic island in the mouth of the bay, and early this 

 morning steamed to our berth off the town of Auckland. I saw 

 two Gulls, one species much resembling the black-backed variety 

 in Table Bay, but still I think different ; also a Tern of some kind. 

 The Gulls are common, and I see them inland about the fields. 



In my next communication I hope to be able to say something 

 of the land-birds round the town. As yet I have not been out 

 with my gun, but there seems a dearth of specimens. I see a 

 Kingfisher on the beach, and two small birds among the bushes 

 in the ravines. 



Auckland, New Zealand, Oct. 7th, 1861. 



XIV. — Observations on the Birds of the Western Districts of the 

 Province of Nelson, New Zealand. By Julius Haast. 



[Mr. Haast's lately published Report of his expedition into the 

 western districts of the province of Nelson, in the Middle Island 

 of New Zealandf, contains an interesting chapter of observations 

 on the animals noticed during the route, from which we extract 

 the portion relative to the birds. After speaking of the paucity 

 of Mammals J, Mr. Haast continues as follows : — ] 



" The only living objects which give animation to these soli- 



* No doubt the Diving Petrels, Puffinuria urinatrix, figured in Gould's 

 ' Birrls of Australia,' vii. pi. 60. — Ed. 



t ' Report of a Topographical and Geological Exploration of the Western 

 Districts of the Nelson Province, New Zealand, undertaken for the Pro- 

 vincial Government.' By Julius Haast, Esq. Nelson, 1861. 1 vol. 8vo. 

 150 pp. 



X Only two Mammals are known as really indigenous to New Zealand, 

 both Bats, Scotopkilus tuberculatus and Mystacina tuberculata. — Ed. 



