170 THE EXTINCTION OF ANIMALS. 



With the pied starling (Fregilopus varius) of Reunion 

 we return once more to birds. This beautiful species, the 

 sole representative of its genus, and distinguished not 

 only by its pied plumage but likewise by the presence of 

 a crest of feathers on the head, is said to have been very 

 bold and confiding in its disposition, and is believed to 

 have been exterminated about fifty years ago. 



Within the last few years a species of ke-ke parrot 

 (Nestor productus), formerly inhabiting Phillip Island, 

 near New Zealand, is likewise believed to have become 

 extinct about the middle of this century. 



Our next species is one which may possibly be still 

 existing, although, if so, it must be of extreme rarity. 

 This is the gigantic blue coot (Nnlornis mantelli) of New 

 Zealand, which is almost the sole representative of its 

 genus, although it has near allies in the purple water- 

 hens (Porphyrio). This huge flightless bird was first made 

 known to science on the evidence of some bones obtained 

 from the volcanic sands of Waingongoro, in the North 

 Island, and described by Sir R. Owen as belonging to an 

 extinct form. Their discoverer, Mr. W. Mantell, succeeded, 

 however, in obtaining the skin of an example which had 

 been caught alive and eaten by some sealers in the South 

 Island, some time in 1877; this skin, together with that of 

 the second specimen, being now mounted in the British 

 Museum. The second living specimen was taken in 1869, 

 and a third in 1881, both in the South Island; but whether 

 any others still survive is more than doubtful. As the 

 fossilized remains of this species are not uncommon in 

 the superficial deposits of both islands, we may probably 

 refer its extinction in the North Island, and its extreme 

 rarity in the South, to the Maories. If it still linger it is 

 probable that wild pigs, dogs, or cats will ere long put 

 a term to its existence. An allied species (N. albus), 

 distinguished by its plumage, formerly inhabited Norfolk 

 and Lord Howe Islands, but is now extinct. 



The great auk, or gare fowl, brings us to a species 

 completely exterminated in modern times, and of which 

 the accounts are fairly complete. This bird, the largest 

 member of its genus, and totally unable to fly, was 



