198 Transactions.—Zoology. 
Anas SUPERCILIOSA, Gmel.—Grey Duck. 
In the Bay of Plenty district there are duck preserves which are a source 
of great profit to the natives and are jealously guarded by them. Roto- 
mahana—a warm lake of little more than half a mile in length—is one of 
these. From October to February no canoes are permitted on this lake, 
and no fires are allowed to be lighted in the vicinity. Various kinds of 
duck breed here in great numbers. From feeding on the small green 
beetle and on the nahonaho, a stingless gnat which swarms in countless 
myriads over all the waters in the lake district, the birds become extremely 
fat; and during the moulting season, which extends over part of February 
and March, they are incapable of flight owing to the loss of their quills. 
The strict ** tapu " which is enforced during the close season is now removed 
with great ceremony, and all the population, men, women, and children, 
start together on a duck-hunting expedition. The men with dogs in short 
leashes keep within the belt of manuka scrub along the margin of the lake ; 
ihe women and children proceed ‘to the middle of the lake in canoes, 
then take to the water, and with great noise and splashing drive the 
frightened birds up into the bays or inlets, where they seek refuge in the 
scrub and sedges and are immediately pounced upon by the trained dogs 
which are still held in leash. The duck-hunter snatches the bird away from 
the dog, kills it noiselessly by biting it in the head, and then throws it 
behind him to be collected by a party of women who follow on foot for that 
purpose. In the season of 1867, seven thousand, it is said, were caught 
in this manner, in three days, on this lake alone. These were not all 
grey duck, but included also the black teal (or pochard), the shoveller, and 
the white-winged duck. 
At the Bitter Lake (Rotokawa), in the Taupo district, they are caught in 
a similar manner. Those that escape the dogs are caught by snares set at 
night. The snares are placed along the margins of the lake and on the 
warm stones where the ducks are accustomed to congregate after dark. 
At Rotoiti, Rotoehu, and Rotoma, as well as on other lakes in the Bay 
of Plenty district, Captain Mair has observed that the ducks at one season 
leave the waters and travel into the surrounding woods. This happens 
about March and therefore not during the breeding months. Probably they 
retire for more security during the seasonal moult; for although at other 
times these lakes fairly swarm with ducks, at this period they are quite 
deserted. In the woods, however, the dogs turn them up in all directions, 
He further says :—“ It is interesting to watch the ducks feeding on the gnats 
and green beetles which float on the surface of the warm water, forming a 
thick seum. On this diet they are always in good condition. The beetles, 
I may mention, get shaken into the water from the overhanging scrub 
