Travers.—Notes on the Extinction of the Moa. 97 
stratum of sand from the one immediately below, and the number of them 
was very great. The natives informed me that when the Moa hunt was to 
take place, notice was given to the neighbouring places, inviting them all 
to the battue. The party then spread out to enclose as large a space as 
possible, and drive the birds from their haunts, then gradually contracting 
the line as they approached some lake, they at last rushed forward and 
drove the frightened birds into the water, where they could be easily 
approached in canoes, and despatched without their being able to make 
any resistance. These Moa hunts were, doubtless, very destructive, as, 
from the number of men employed, and the long lines of ovens, the 
slaughter must have been very great; and, in addition to this, from the | 
large quantity of egg-shells, a clear proof is given that they were eagerly 
sought for and feasted upon. Thus, the poor birds had little chance of 
continuing their race. I may also state that the Plain of Waingongoro is 
ealled Rangatapu, which may either apply to the hunters (the sacred band) 
or the ovens (the sacred row), and that the name Moa, like that of the roa, 
was most probably derived from the bird’s ery. The Moa has passed 
away and its hunters as well, and the proverb is being fulfilled, ‘Kua 
ngaro a Moa te iwi nei,’ ‘ The Maori, like the Moa, has passed away.’”’ It 
Will be seen in the sequel that Mr. Taylor's interpretation of this proverb is 
inaccurate.” 
I offer no apology for these somewhat lengthy extracts, which have 
been made for the use of readers elsewhere, who cannot have access to the 
“Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,” all of which, however, 
require to be considered in connection with the matter under consideration, 
and more especially with the communications made to me, as hereafter 
detailed. 
Before referring to these communications, however, I may call your 
attention to two papers in the recently issued volume of the ‘“ Transac- 
tions of the Institute,’ Vol. 7, one by Dr. Haast, and the other by Mr. 
Mackay, of the Geological Department of New Zealand, in which the 
Writers arrive at different conclusions, as resulting from discoveries made 
during the exploration of a cave, near Summer, on Banks’ Peninsula ; 
Dr. Haast, on the one hand, still maintaining his views as to the extinction 
of the Moa by a race prior to the present one in the occupation of the 
islands; Mr. Mackay, on the other hand, taking the opposite view. 
Dr. Haast, in allusion to the opinions of those who have had the 
temerity to differ with him, says :— 
* But now, as it were at once, 
scene, but not without affording an insight into their daily 
us some of their polished and unpolished stone implements, 
the Moa-hunters disappear from tle 
life, by leaving 
a few of their 
