8 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



chamber, ready to defend its home from intruders, biting 

 and making use of its claws for the purpose. According to 

 A. Reischek, who has made numerous observations on the 

 natural history of Chicken Island, and has devoted much 

 attention to the habits of the Tuatera, it is not uncommon 

 to find two petrels inhabiting one side, but never two 

 tuateras sharing the same chamber. This observer is of 

 the opinion that in a few instances the holes are dug out 

 by the birds, the two habitations being distinguishable 

 through the fact that the birds dig in soHd and hard earth, 

 while the reptiles only excavate where the soil is soft and 

 loose. 



The Tuatera is oviparous, laying from eight to a dozen 

 tough but not hard-shelled white eggs, nearly an inch in 

 length, in the months of December and January. These 

 take an extraordinary long time to hatch, the young only 

 appearing about thirteen months after the egg has been laid. 



In captivity, although they do well, Tuateras are rather 

 dull and uninteresting, as most of the day is spent in the 

 retreat provided for them, or in the holes they burrow ; 

 the latter are usually dug out at dusk, the creatures making 

 use of their long claws for this operation. They are first- 

 class swimmers, and, therefore, a large tank of water should 

 be provided for bathing purposes. 



Their favourite food consists of earthworms, slugs, 

 frogs, and small lizards. Contrary to the experience of 

 Dr. Gadow, who kept numbers for many years, those at 

 the Zoological Gardens were all fond of meat. Mice were 

 also regarded by them as a delicacy. These specimens were 

 always silent, although other individuals have been known 

 to utter, especially at dusk, sounds somewhat resembhng the 



