CHAP. III.J ERITONGA VALLEY. 77 



nests are seen together on a tree, which is always 

 sure to be the one most difficult of access. The un- 

 broken stillness of a New Zealand forest is remark- 

 able : the cormorants themselves have something 

 solemn in their aspect, and are called by the New 

 Zealanders kauwau, or the preachers. Sometimes, 

 indeed, the mako-mako 1 pours forth at long intervals 

 its melodious notes ; or perhaps a hawk 2 is seen 

 watching the movements of a smaller bird ; or the 

 neat fan-tail flycatcher busy in the lower branches. 

 The vegetation of New Zealand is nourished by the 

 constant moisture, and, although remarkable for the 

 freshness of its verdure, there is not much variety, 

 considering the extent of the island. But of birds 

 and animals the number of species is still more 

 limited ; in fact, fewer varieties are found in New 

 Zealand, in comparison to its area, than in any other 

 country. 



We encamped for the night on a sandbank, 

 where we found plenty of dry drift-wood. From 

 this place, where the valley widens a little, the 

 river follows the western hills, and at its freshes 

 overflows the left shore, which was covered with 

 the shrublike veronica. Near the eastern hills 

 the dark-green foliage and reddish bark of the 

 totara pine impressed the landscape at once with a 

 distinct feature. 



The following day we crossed and recrossed the 

 river six times. Its depth is very unequal, and 

 1 Philedon Dumerilii. 2 Falco brunnea. 



