Potts. — New Zealand Birds. 195 



The reason is obvious, the feathers of the latter species are produced into hair- 

 like points of almost bristly stubbornness. This contrast in the character of 

 the plumage is distinguishable in the young state. In Christchurch, either in 

 the Museum or in private hands, there are specimens from which such a 

 comparison can be made. In the words of a man experienced in mounting 

 the skins of Apteryx^ " the two species could be separated with one's eyes 

 shut." This peculiarity leads one to expect that there exists some difference 

 in the habit of the species, depending probably on climatic influence or the 

 physical conditions of its habitat. 



Dr. Finsch, after careful and repeated examination of two specimens 

 received from Dr. Buller, cannot bring himself to consider the species as 

 distinct, yet admits (which he may safely do) that the harshness of the 

 plumage on the occiput and hind neck of A. mantelli may be constant; he 

 gives also a very plain and good reason why it is so, namely, from the 

 structure of the feathers. The conclusion he arrives at is that A. mantelli 

 may be a local form of A. australis. Now comes our difficulty, in admitting 

 distinct} and constant varieties to form what may be termed sub-species in our 

 fauna it may be only reasonable to ask where the line is to be drawn and who 

 is to draw it % What authority is to decide the nice question as to the points 

 which separate the distinct variety from a good species 1 



In 1852 the late Captain Daniells, of E-angitikei, one of the pioneers of the 

 Wellington settlement, spoke of the brown kiwi as then being procurable from 

 the Maoris. From reliable sources the writer is aware that it is frequently 

 heard in the bush in the neighbourhood of Tauranga. 



No. 64. — Apteryx haastii, Potts. 

 Roa-roa 1 

 Haast's Kiwi. 



Little addition can be made to the previous notes which accompanied the 

 description of A. haastii [Trans. N.Z. Inst., Yol. lY., p. 204). During a 

 visit to the West Coast last summer the localities were pointed out to the 

 writer whence the specimens now in the Canterbury Museum were procured. 

 One was found in the bush far up the Okarita river, the other in the dense 

 bush between the eastern shore of Lake Mapourika and the snowy range of 

 which Mount Cook is monarch. Mr, Docherty stated that both of these 

 birds appeared wilder than A. australis, and made somewhat more resistance 

 during their capture. 



Apteryx maxima, Yerr., is as yet amongst the desiderata of collectors. 

 Maoris commonly assert that such a bird exists. It is stated to be as large as 

 a turkey. A recent communication from a settler at Martin Bay gives some 

 weight to these statements. 



