264 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
Mr. Langdridge, the keeper, if I would pay its transportation to 
America. Unfortunately I was obliged to refuse the proffered 
gift. 
‘“One of the most interesting features of the park is a series of 
eighteen terraria and aquaria which have been built into one side 
of a hill, walled completely over with brick and fitted with glass 
fronts so that the occupants may be viewed by the frequent visit- 
ors at this popular resort. Here are exhibited many kinds of fish 
and some turtles and lizards. Among the latter are two living 
tuataras. These animals form a link between the ancient saurians 
and modern reptiles and are the only species in the order. They 
are indigenous to New Zealand where the few remaining indivi- 
duals oceupy a number of rocky islets near the main land. The 
tuatara now receives government protection and it is unlawful to 
take a specimen without special permission from the Minister of 
Internal Affairs. 
‘“A large cage is given over to the parrots and their allies 
among which are several species of cockatoos; one individual has 
the habit of greeting approaching visitors with its guttural 
‘Hello.’ In the cage also are examples of the remarkable New 
Zealand kea or mountain parrot which, under natural conditions, 
has departed from an insect and fruit diet and has acquired the 
depraved habit of feeding upon the kidney fat of living sheep. . . 
“Another large enclosure is given over to the kiwi or apteryx. 
. .. Examples of the morepork, the native owl, and of the pukeko 
which is allied to the extinct Notornis are also to be found in the 
park as well as other singular and unusual birds, some of which 
have become much reduced in numbers. 
‘‘Altogether, an exceedingly interesting assemblage of animals 
is contained in this reserve and Wellington is to be congratulated 
in its effort to uphold and foster an interest in the animal life of 
the Dominion. Such effort along lines of conservation and educa- 
tion is to be commended most heartily and many cities in our own 
country could profit by this example in the distant south seas.’” 
BIRDS 
The following items which characterize the New Zealand avi- 
fauna are worthy of consideration. 
1. Both in point of number of species and comparative abun- 
1 Stoner, Dayton, A Zoological Park in New Zealand, Proceedings Iowa 
Academy of Science, XXX, 143-145, 1924. 
