Cuapman.—On Moa Remains. 178 
writer at a future date he will certainly have no cause to complain that the 
literature relating to it in this country is too copious. If upon this and 
kindred matters, and notably upon such subjects as the history, traditions 
and customs of the Maori race, colonists with good opportunities would 
record all the facts they observe upon their travels while these facts are 
fresh, much valuable matter now daily growing scarce would be preserved. 
It has occurred to me that it is worth while to jot down in this way observed 
facts relating to our gigantic extinct birds, especially in connection with 
their relation to the inhabitants of these islands, as the opportunities of 
observing these facts occur only now and then when a piece of g ound is 
newly disturbed, and the observations lose their value if deferred until other 
elements come in. 
What is known as the Mackenzie Country, though somewhat undefined 
as to limits, is now comprised in a new county called Mackenzie County, 
lately cut off the large original County of Geraldine. It consists of the 
Mackenzie Plains and a large amount of mountain country besides extensive 
downs. These plains and downs occupy a central position, stretching from 
the Waitaki up towards the three alpine lakes, Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekapo. 
The climate is cold in winter and very warm and dry in summer. The 
whole region is, like the central districts of the South Island generally, 
devoid of trees, but the mountains show signs of extensive areas of thick 
high scrub which has been burnt off. 
When on a visit there during the past summer I was told that on 
a sandy flat on the banks of the Waitaki remains of moa skeletons 
were to be found. I accordingly visited the flat, which I found to be 
about ten or twelve miles down the Waitaki Gorge, starting from Mr. 
Sutton’s Black Forest Station. I was accompanied by my brother, Mr. 
E. A. Chapman, of Grampians Station, and Mr. Murdoch, Mr. Sutton’s 
manager. The ride down the bank of the river is rather rough, but the 
rocky scenery is very fine. A slight bridle-track among the boulders leads 
along the narrow margin between the steep crumbling ranges and the Wai- 
taki, which is here a fine stream tinged with the dull colour of the glacial 
water. Where it is concentrated in the narrowest part of the gorge the river 
runs with great rapidity, and for many miles it forms an impassable barrier 
between Otago and Canterbury. A long way above the gorge it is fordable 
in winter, when the severe alpine frosts have reduced the water supply. 
There are no feeders for many miles, until the point is reached, where, on 
the Otago side, the Ahuriri pours in a considerable quantity of clear water. 
Some distance below this point we came upon the flat we were in search 
of. It is of considerable area, perhaps fifty acres, and is merely composed 
of fine light material deposited there by the river. This fine soil is grassed 
