of an unknown species of Bird. 95 



the natives. The indigenous species was used as an article of food 

 by the Nev; Zealanders, being when fat in high repute as a delicious 

 morceau. 



Of the order Sauria, at least six distinct species are now in my 

 possession. They are all (with the exception of the Tuatara already 

 mentioned) small animals. Two beautiful species, one a light green 

 with a long tail, the other a darker green, with white oblong and 

 subreniform spots, are called by the natives Kakariki and Kaka- 

 loariki. These are often found basking in the sun stretched on 

 the upper branches of some shrub. Two other species of an ash 

 colour, elegantly marked with gray and brown waterings, called by 

 the natives Papa, are found in rotten and hollow trees. These four 

 species are broad and flat, and have small scales which are not 

 imbricated. Two other graceful species, with bodies much narrower 

 and more elongated, of a brown colour with numerous hght and dark 

 coloured markings and dots, are called by the natives Mokomoko. 

 One of these last-mentioned species is verj'^ common, and may be 

 obtained in abundance in the summer season on the shores among 

 the dry algae and other light substances a few feet above high-water 

 mark. The other of these last-mentioned species is very scarce, I 

 having only casually seen it in decayed trees in forests. All the spe- 

 cies are harmless, and are objects of superstitious dread to the New 

 Zealander; chiefly so however to the old and ignorant. The flesh of 

 the Tuatara alone is made use of by the natives as an article of food; 

 only however by one or two tribes inhabiting the interior of the 

 island, for which they have been often spoken contemptuously of 

 by their countrymen. 



The bat I have never had an opportunity of closely examining. 

 It is however a small species, and like its European relative, is com- 

 monly seen flitting its tortuous maze on a fine summer's evening. 

 The natives call it Pekapeka. 



The seals {Phocce) I have never seen ; they are, nevertheless, well- 

 known to the natives, who call them Kekeno, and assert that they 

 come on shore at night to browse on thistles ! When captured, as 

 they sometimes are, they afford the New Zealander a rich repast. 

 They in all probability comprise the species Ph. leptonyx, Blainv., 

 and Eh. leonina, Linn. 



Pigs, dogs, cats, rats and mice are now both wild and numerous 

 throughout the whole island. Even the dense forests of the interior, 

 far away from the residence of men, are infested with the smaller 

 vermin. The natives attribute the destruction and all but extinction 

 of the Kiwi {Apteryx austra/is), the Koitareke (a species of Tetrao), 

 the 'Weka (a large and unknown bird with short wings, probably 

 allied to the genus Ardea), the Kiore tnaori, and other terrestrial 

 animals, to the voracity and numbers of those foreign pests. 



Note E., page 91. 



It may not be amiss to give here an outline of the genera com- 

 posing the family of Struthionid(e, seeing they are 1)ut few. Each 



