NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN NEW ZEALAND. 180° 
twice the size of a coot, with abnormally long legs and huge feet; its 
bill and feet are red, and its general plumage dark metallic blue. As 
a mark for the sportsman, with its long legs dangling as it flies, it is 
ten to one on the gun. 
Some of the stilts are plentiful in north Marlborough. 
Godwits (Limosa BAvER1) allied to Lappronica of this hemisphere, 
are also in plenty, and a most fascinating description of their migra- 
tion from the North Cape of New Zealand has been given by Mr. 
James Buckland. 
Of the Heron and Bittern family, the only bird I shall mention 
is the little Bittern (ArpETra macuLara), I saw but few. One, 
however, for many days disported itself upon the beach in front of 
the house in which I was rusticating. 
Buller’s list of ducks is a long one. I only met with a very 
limited number of species, and assisted in the destruction of still 
fewer. The New Zealand sheldrake, or paradise duck, is a bird of 
beautiful black and white plumage, rather larger than a Rouen. It 
will be noticed that the female differs considerably from the male, 
having a head and neck perfectly white. It used to be particularly 
plentiful in North Marlborough, and, being now well protected, is 
likely to be preserved. The weird call of the paradise duck at night 
in the Awatere Valley is one of my earliest recollections of the 
Colony, and the Maori name of pu-tangi-tangi is most appropriate. 
It signifies “‘ the water-fowl which makes a great funeral cry.” 
Grey Duck and Teal are also plentiful and afford good sport. 
Of late years they have become very shy and difficult to get at. A 
close time for them is strictly enforced. Maories took them in snares 
placed across the creeks, and also hunted them with dogs when 
moulting and unable to fly. 
To return to my list, obtained from Buller’s rare and original 
