7470 Birds. 



Fam. ScoLOPACiDvE. 



Godwit (Kohikuliikuaka), Gallinago punctata. Very similar to the 

 English bartailed godwit. Gregarious. Plentiful on the coast. 



Avocet (Piwari), Avocetta Novae-Zealandiae. Local. Confined to 

 the southern portions of the Island. 



Black Stilt (Torea-iti), Himantopus niger. Jet-black. 



Pied Stilt (Tore-aiti), Himantopus picatus. Of various proportions 

 of black and white. 



White Stilt (Torea-iti, Tutumata), Himantopus albus. This species 

 is scarce, smaller than the preceding, and is not subject to varieties of 

 plumage. The head, neck, back, breast and belly are pure white. 

 The wings are of an indigo-black. Both sexes are similar in plumage. 

 All three species are the torment of duck shooters, by their incessant 

 cry on approaching them. As soon as they call " peet peet " every 

 duck takes wing. They are very bold, and will continue to fly round 

 the shooter so long as he is in their neighbourhood. \ 



Fam. Rallid^. 



Notornis (Takahe), Notornis Mantellii. Discovered by my friend 

 Mr. Mantell. A very large bird, nearly as large as a turkey. Is only 

 found in the middle Island. 



Woodhen ( VVeka), Rallus australis, Latham. Inhabits wild countries, 

 especially creeks. Resembles in plumage and size a hen pheasant 

 minus the tail. Bill curved like that of the whimbrel. Has a loud 

 whistle, by imitating which it is attracted ; also attracted by fire. A 

 night bird. Delicate eating. Wingless, but runs very fast. Mixes 

 with fowls, and cross breeds have occurred. 



Redlegged Rail (Moho pereru), Rallus rufopes. 



Greenlegged Rail (Moho patalai), Rallus punclatus. Spotted on the 

 back. 



Ferruginous Rail (Moho katatai), Rallus assirailis. Scarcer than 

 the two preceding. All three are about the size of the spotted crake, 

 which they resemble. Mostly found in swamps. They have a pecu- 

 liarly jarring note, resembling the noise of the catch of a windlass when 

 it is rapidly revolving. 



Little Black Rail (Totoriwai), Rallus minor. Very scarce. Jet- 

 black. Irides yellow. 



Great Black Rail (Moho), Rallus niger. This bird was formerly 

 very abundant, and the most highly esteemed of the genus for food. 



Great Red Rail (Moho kura), Rallus rufus. This species was as 



