September 22, 1892] 



NATURE 



503 



extinct all over the mainland, but it exists in comparative plenty 

 on the little Barrier Island — presumably the only locality in the 

 world where this species is now to be found. 



All these facts and considerations point to the conclusion that 

 if an attempt is to be made to preserve these and other indi- 

 genous species, it must be by setting apart suitable islands for 

 the purpose, and placing them under very strict protective 

 regulations. 



Assuming it to be granted that it is the duty of the Govern- 

 ment to take the necessary measures, the next question is, what 

 islands are the most suitable for the purpose ? 



After making careful inquiries on the subject, and reading 

 much that has been written by the Chief Surveyor and other 

 local authorities, I have come to the conclusion that the two 

 best and most readily available islands are the Little Barrier at 

 the north, and Resolution Island at the south. 



1. The Little Barrier. — This island is still in the hands of the 

 Maoris ; but the Government is in negotiation for its purchase, 

 and, as I understand there is only a small amount at issue 

 between the parties, I would strongly urge its immediate 

 acquisition for the purposes indicated. Not only is the Little 

 Barrier known to be the habitat of the stitch-bird, the white- 

 head, the bell-bird, and the native robin (all of which have 

 practically disappeared from the mainland), but it has a wooded 

 surface admirably adapted to the habits of such birds ; it is 

 easily accessible from Auckland ; it would be difficult for any 

 person to land and shoot birds there without at once attracting 

 the attention of the many ships which are constantly passing in 

 and out of the Hauraki Gulf. 



2. Resolution Island. — This has now been proclaimed a 

 reserve for native fauna and flora. 



(i) Resolution Island is just at a convenient distance from the 

 mainland. It is of considerable extent, with good harbours 

 having deep water and safe anchorage. 



(2) Several of the species that it is most desirable to preserve 

 (such as kakapo and kiwi) are known to exist there already in 

 considerable numbers. 



(3) It is believed to be the final refuge of the great flightless 

 rail {Notornis tnanteHi), only three specimeas of which have 

 ever been obtained in New Zealand, two of these being nDW in 

 the National Museum, and the other in the Royal Museum at 

 Dresden. One of those in the British Museum (obtained by 

 Mr. Walter Mantell in 1849) was caught by a party of sealers 

 at Duck Cove, on Resolution Island, and the other was captured 

 by Maoris on Secretary Island, opposite to Dea's Cove, 

 Thompson Sound. The third was taken as recently as 18S1 by 

 a party of rabbit-hunters in the vicinity of Lake Te Anau. 

 There is every reason to believe that this rare and interesting 

 species still survives on the island which has now been set aparc 

 as a permanent Government reserve. 



Looking to the interests involved— the great loss to the 

 scientific world implied in the extermination of natural formj 

 that do not exist elsewhere, and the importance, therefore, of 

 saving them — it cannot be denied that a heavy responsibility 

 rests on those who, while there is yet time and opportunity, may 

 neglect to take the necessary steps for their preservation. 



All that is wanted to rouse public interest in such a matter is 

 actual knowledge of the facts. There i-; a strong sentiment 

 always in the public mind against the final extirpation of any 

 living species. As a proof of this one has only to read of the 

 strong public feeling that exists in San Francisco in regard to 

 the protection of the "sea-lions" frequenting the famous Seal 

 Rocks lying off the shore, and of the universal regret with which 

 the Americans regard the almost complete extirpation of the 

 herds of bison, of which at the present day only a small remnant 

 survives under Government protection within certain " reserva- 

 tions." It finds further expression in the lament of all true 

 sportsmen and naturalists on account of the disappearance, 

 through wanton slaughter, of the large game of South Africa. 

 Look, for example, at the quagga, which is now on the verge of 

 extinction. Forty years ago this fine animal might be counted 

 by thousands on every valley and plain of the Cape Colony. At 

 the present day, besides three mounted specimens in European 

 museums, there are two living examples in the Zoological 

 Gardens. Take these away, and the species is blotted out 

 completely. 



In urging Ministers to take this subject under their serious 

 consideration I may remind them that on December 16, 1886, 

 the Secretary of the Auckland Institute wrote advising the pur- 

 chase of the Little Barrier Island as a Government preserve, 



NO. II 95, VOL. 46] 



and that the Premier, Sir Robert Stout, approved of this being 

 done. The purchase was, I believe, strongly advocated by 

 Prof. Thomas and by Mr. A. Reischek, the Austrian collector, 

 both of whom had visited the island and inspected every part of 

 it. At a recent meeting of the Otago Institute a resolution was 

 passed authorizing the Council of that body to move the Govern- 

 ment to proclaim Resoluttion Island for this purpose. 



Resolution Island having now been so proclaimed, I would 

 suggest that steps should be immediately taken for ascertaining 

 to what extent Resolution Island is already stocked with kiwi 

 and kakapo ; that a sufficient supply of these and other birds be 

 at once obtained by purchase or otherwise from the mainland 

 before it is too late, and turned loose both on this island and on 

 the Little Barrier ; and that Captain Fairchild (who takes a 

 keen interest in this project) should be instructed to call at these 

 islands from time to time during the periodical cruises of the 

 Hinemoa, to ascertain if the birds are thriving, and to report 

 results, with such practical suggestions and recommendations as 

 he may be able to make for the furtherance of this plan of con- 

 servation. 



I would also, at the same time, suggest that Ministers should 

 take into consideration the propriety of including some other 

 native birds in the list of protected species. As I have already 

 mentioned, the bell-bird, formerly so plentifil, has entirely dis- 

 appeared from the North Island. But it is still very plentiful 

 all over the South Island, and is a common denizen of the 

 gardens and shrubberies in all the principal towns. This is the 

 bird that so enchanted Captain Cook by its song when his ship 

 lay at anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound more than a hundred 

 years ago, and, having become historical, it would be a grievous 

 pity for the bird to die out altogether. The general testimony 

 goes to show that the protection extended to the tuis had the 

 desired effect, this species being now more numerous everywhere 

 than it was fifteen years ago. Would it not be well to extend 

 the same protection to its small congener the makomako, whose 

 haunts and habits are almost precisely similar ? 



Then, again, there is a bird famous in Maori history and 

 poetry — remarkable for its singular beauty, and interesting to 

 naturalists on account of its aberrant generic characters— a 

 species confined to a very limited portion of the North Island, 

 from which, owing to the eagerness of natural-history collectors 

 and the inevitable progress of settlement in its native woods, it 

 is fast disappearing. 



I refer, of course, to the huia {Heteralocha acutirostris), a bird 

 which is naturally confined within such narrow geographical 

 boundaries that I may describe its range as being limited to the 

 Ruahine, Tararua, and Rimutaka Mountain-ranges, with their 

 divergent spurs and the i itervening wooded valleys. The white- 

 tipped tail-feathers of this beautiful bird have been from time 

 immemorial the chief adornment of Maori chiefs as head-plumes ; 

 and an incident connected therewith, in ancient times, led to 

 the adoption of the name by the great ancestors of the Ngatihuia 

 Tribe. 



As Ministers are aware, when selecting a Maori name for my 

 infant son, to commemorate his New Zealand birth, I was 

 induced, for several considerations, to give this name the prefer- 

 ence over all others submitted to me; and I shjuld therefore 

 accept it as a compliment to my family if Ministers would 

 exercise the power they possess and throw over this bird the 

 shield of Government protection.^ 



I ask this the more readily on the ground that I have been 

 moved to do so by the chiefs of the Ngatihuia Tribe. At the 

 public function at Otaki, on the I2th September last, when I 

 had the pleasure of presenting my son to the assembled tribes, 

 a number of very complimentary speeches were made by the 

 leading chiefs, and one of them, in referring to the name, said, 

 " There, yonder, is the snow-clad Ruahine range, the home of 

 our favourite bird. We ask you, O Governor ! to restrain the 

 pakehas from shooting it, that when your boy grows up he may 

 see the beautiful bird which bears his name." 



The huia loves the deep shade of the forest, and as its home 

 is invaded by the settler's axe it would, if protected from reck- 

 less destruction, simply retire higher up the wooded ranges, till 

 it finally took refuge in the permanent forest reserve, which 

 embraces all the wooded mountain-tops within its natural 

 domain. Under vigilant protection, therefore, the huia would 

 have every chance of being preserved and perpetuated. 



Christchurch, Christmas Day, 1S91. ONSLOW. 



' This has been done: vide New Zealand Gazette oiVtibrnaxy ^^ 

 page 402. 



.39a. 



