Birds. 7471 



large as a moorhen, and much prized for food. It is of a mottled red 

 and brown. Confined to the mountains. 



Great Broivn Rail (Moho weka), Rallus fuscus). Larger than the 

 last species. Almost extinct. Dark brown. Trides black. Inhabits 

 forests. 



Great Spotted Rail (Moho pu), Rallus strepitans. Spotted all 

 over with red, and white spots on a brown ground. Makes a peculiar 

 booming noise, resembling distant thunder, hence its name, "pu;" for 

 this reason I have called it strepitans. Almost extinct. In former 

 years many more species of this tribe were abundaiit, but the intro- 

 duction of cats has greatly thinned them. Cats seem to have a remark- 

 able preference for the Rallidse above all other birds. A iew years 

 will see most of the above described birds, except the redlegged, green- 

 legged and ferruginous rails, extinct. The habits of these species, 

 which dwell in swamps, will protect them from extermination. 



Moorhen (Pukeko, Pakura), Porphyrio melanotus, Temminck. The 

 flesh has a bitter flavour. 



NATATORES. 

 Fam. Anatid^. 



Paradise Duck (Putangitangi), Anser variegata, Latham. A very 

 handsome goose. Easily tamed. Is becoming numerous. 



Gray Duck (Parera, Tahora), Anas superciliosa, Latham. The 

 common wild duck. Delicate flavour. 



Black Duck (Papango), Anas atra. A small black species, with a 

 white bar across the wing. Irides golden. Confined to fresh water. 



Shoveller (Pakau-kukn, Rangi-tauharuru), Anas rhynchotes, Latham. 

 Resembles the English species. Confined to the coast. Makes a 

 great noise with its wings on rising. 



Lapped Bill Duck (Whio), Anas malacorhynchus, Forster. A lead- 

 coloured duck, with a soft fleshy lappet at the extremity of its bill, 

 which is white. Is very stupid and easily snared or killed with a stone. 

 Confined to mountain streams. 



Teal (Tetewai), Anas fusca. Rather larger than the English 

 species. 



Mountain Teali^axevo), Anas mediterranea. Only found on lagoons 

 inland. 



Fam. CoLYMBiD^. 



Little Grebe (Weiweia), Podiceps rufopectus, Gray. Resembles 

 the English species. 



