1870.] PROF. OWEN ON THE EXTINCTION OF DINORNIS. 53 
Siberian Lark (Alauda sibirica, Gmelin; the Alauda leucoptera ot 
Pallas). It was caught near Brighton, November 22, 1869, out of 
a flock of about two dozen of Hmberiza nivalis, and is a female. 
This is, as far as I know, the first of this species ever captured in 
Great Britain. 
“I also place before the Meeting a Wild Canary (I’ringilla cana- 
viensis), taken in a clap-net November 20, 1869. How such a bird 
arrived in this country I cannot say. 
‘“‘ The third bird which I have to show is a Lapland Bunting (Zm- 
beriza calearata). 
“These three birds are recorded in the January number of the 
‘Zoologist’ this year as Fringilla nivalis, Emberiza rustica, and 
Fringilla citrinella. With the aid of Professor Newton, when we 
saw the Lark on the Ist of January, I assigned to it its true desig- 
nation. Various Northern species have lately occurred at Brighton, 
in addition to Alauda sibirica, such as Emberiza pusilla, Emberiza 
rustica, Turdus atrigularis, and Pyrrhula erythrina, all of them of 
considerable interest.” 

The following papers were read :— 
1. Letter on the Discovery of Cooking-pits and Kitchen- 
middens in Canterbury Settlement, Middle Island, New 
Zealand. By Dr. Jutrus Haast, F.R.S. Communicated, 
with Remarks, by Prof. Own, F.R.S., F.Z.S., &e. 
As most of the information on record respecting Dinornis is to be 
found in the publications of the Zoological Society of London, I use 
the liberty given me by my esteemed correspondent Dr. Haast, 
F.R.S., to submit to the same Society the accompanying letter of 
October 20th, 1869, received January 8th, 1870 :— 
“ Canterbury Museum, 
Christchurch, N. Z., 
October 26, 1869. 
“* My pear Proressor Owen,—I have to thank you very much 
for your kindness in sending me Parts XI. and XII. of your Memoirs 
on Dinornis, which I received by last mail, and which I have read 
with great interest. Concerning the age of remains of the Dinornis 
robustus, described in the first, I have not visited the locality where 
they were found, but am certain that they must have been buried in 
very dry sand, because I have no doubt that the species of Dinornis 
have been extinct many hundreds of years—an opinion which I 
formed some years ago from the manner of their occurrence, as well 
as from the fact that the Maories, the present inhabitants of New 
Zealand, have no traditions about them. Some time ago I sent a 
paper on some prehistoric remains of New Zealand to Sir Charles 
Lyell, in which I have treated of the subject. Since then I have 
been so fortunate as to find a large Moa-hunters’ encampment, with 
