302 Proceedings. 



" You enquire after an Apteryx. How delighted should I be to succeed in 

 getting you one. Three years ago Owen expressed a similar wish, and I have 

 repeatedly tried, but failed. Yet here they still are in the mountain forests, 

 though, doubtless, fast hastening towards extinction. I saw one in its 

 wild state two years ago in the dense woods of the interior; I saw it clearly, 

 and watched its movements for some time without being at all perceived by 

 the creature. It moved quickly along, much like a hen when running after a 

 fly. On seeing me it quickly dived into the untrodden recesses of the forest. 

 Two living specimens were lately taken by the Acheron, steamer, to Sydney, 

 where they died ; these were obtained at the Bay of Islands, where also I once 

 got three at one time. Since then I have not been able to obtain another, 

 although I have ofFered a great price for one. The fact is, the younger 

 natives do not know how to take them, and the elder ones having but few 

 wants, and those fully supplied, do not care to do so. Further, they can only 

 be captured by night, and the dog must be well trained to be of service ; con- 

 sequently, any hopes of getting specimens are but faint." 



A letter to Mr. Milligan, from the Corresponding Secretary of the 

 Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society, was read, soliciting an inter- 

 change of seeds and other objects in Natural History. 



The thanks of the Society were voted for donations and papers, 

 and the meeting broke up about ten o'clock. 



