64 Transactions. —Miscel laneous. 
8. Because I diligently sought after it, and wrote very early about it, 
before New Zealand became a colony, in 1838-1842; and yet, though that 
early paper had been twice published, both in Tasmania and in England, I 
do not think there is a single copy in the Colony save my own. Indeed, I 
have failed to procure one at any price in London. 
4. Because that early-written paper on the Moa has been frequently 
referred to and quoted in many scientific works published in Europe and 
America, as well as by Dr. Von Haast in the volumes of the ** Transactions 
of the New Zealand Institute” in our Library. 
5. Because I have been subsequently repeatedly written to, appealed to, 
and importuned, both from Europe and within the Colony, respecting what 
I had published, and also asked to add to what I first made known about it. 
6. Because I have, during the past few years, been again seeking from 
every possible source to gather up anything that was left concerning the 
Moa. 
Those are among the chief reasons which incline me now to bring this 
subject before you. I think you will agree with me as to their validity. 
I propose, therefore, to divide my paper into two parts—1. What I 
originally wrote on the Moa (which being wholly unknown to you will be 
new); and 2. To bring before you all additional information which I have 
subsequently gleaned respecting it. 
Part I.—What I originally wrote on the Moa. 
'* An Account of some enormous Fossil Bones of an unknown Species of the 
Class Aves, lately discovered in New Zealand."'* 
During the summer of 1838, I accompanied the Rev. W. Williams on a 
visit to the tribes inhabiting the East Cape district. Whilst at Waiapu (a 
thickly inhabited locality about twenty miles S.W. from the East Cape), I 
heard from the natives of a certain monstrous animal; while some said it 
was a bird, and others “a person," all agreed that it was called a Moa; 
that in general appearance it somewhat resembled an immense domestic 
cock, with the difference, however, of its having a “ face like a man ;" that 
it dwelt in a cavern in the precipitous side of a mountain ; that it lived on 
air; and that it was attended or guarded by two immense Tuataras,+ who, 
Argus-like, kept incessant watch while the Moa slept ; also, that if any one 
ventured to approach the dwelling of this wonderful creature, he would be 
invariably trampled on and killed by it. 
* My first paper was written early in 1842, and published with two plates of bones of 
the Moa in the “ Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science,” Vol. IL, part 7: this was sub- 
sequently republished in England, by Professor Owen, in the “ Annals and Magazine of 
Natural History,” Vol. XIV., p. 81, with the above title. 
T See Note A, Appendix I. 
