45 



Anarynchus, or Crook-billed Plover, as yet requires explanation, which can only 

 be satisfactorily given froni a closer observation of its habits. Compare the 

 bones of Himantopus, the graceful wader, with those of Podiceps, or 

 Sphceniscus, chief amongst divers, the wabbling, yet undulating gait of the 

 latter, when hastening to the sea, gives it rather the appearance of a large 

 water-rat than that of a bird, but how its awkwardness on shore is compensated 

 for, anyone may judge who witnesses the ease and rapidity with which it dives 

 beneath the swelling wave, by the aid of its fin-like wings. Notably, Fregata, 

 Diomedia, Thalassidroma, with their enormous development of the bones and 

 muscles of the wings, their consequent almost untiring flight,* offer the most 

 remarkable contrast to many species, such as Apteryx, Ocydromus, and the 

 wingless giant peculiar to our land, which perhaps has not been long extinct. 

 It is interesting to note that it was from a bone of this genus that the instance 

 of the perfection of skill to which the accomplished anatomist can attain, was 

 exhibited, as all the world knows, by Professor Owen building up, from the 

 study of a single bone, his theory of the gigantic bird, the correctness of which 

 was afterwards corroborated by the discovery of ample remains of various 

 species of Dinornis. Is it possible that the Moa was known to the ancient 

 world 1 The following passage from Strabo would answer for a description of 

 its pursuit by natives, quite as well as for the bunting of the Dodo of the 

 Mauritius, or the .^Epyornis of Madagascar. Writing of the countries washed 

 by the Red Sea (Book xvi.), Strabo observes, "Above this nation is situated a 

 small tribe, the Struthophagi (or bird-eaters), in whose country are birds the 

 size of deer, which are unable to fly, but run with the swiftness of the ostrich. 

 Some hunt them with bows and arrows, others covered with the skins of birds, 

 they hide the right hand in the neck of the skin, and move it as the birds 

 move their necks. With the left hand they scatter grain from a bag suspended 

 to the side ; they thus entice the birds till they drive them into pits, where 

 the hunters dispatch them with cudgels. The skins are used both as clothes 

 and as covering for beds." Such an ancient notice of a wingless bird is 

 interesting. 



The flight, migration, sight, and voice, of many of our species of birds, 

 are all subjects of interest to those who are glad to learn something more of the 

 world we live in. 



When the Lai'k is flushed from her nest on the wide expanse of the tussock- 

 covered plains, with what rare instinct or wonderful gift of sight must she be 

 endowed, which enables her to find her nest amidst the myriads of tussocks 

 presenting the same aspect, without a track, a tree, or even a rock, as a guide 

 to aid her organ of locality. How true is the Bronze-winged Cuckoo to his 

 appointment, almost to a day, the first week in October he announces, by his 

 presence, that high spring has been reached, and the active labours of our 

 portion of animated nature has commenced in earnest. 



We cannot boast of possessing, amidst our bushes, rivals to those " melo- 

 dious songsters of the grove" which wake up the woods and hedgerows of the 

 Old Country, yet many of the notes and cries of our feathered race are 

 peculiarly interesting, such as the song of the Petroica albifrons, the human- 

 like whistle of the Chrysococcyx lucidus, the well-known chime of the Bellbird, 

 the extraordinary sounds to which the white banded Tui gives utterance, the 

 flute-like tones of the Crow or Wattle bird, the wailing call of the Weka ; and 

 the startling shriek of that night bird, frequently heard in the back country, 

 which has not been identified as the call of any bird that has yet been described. 



* After the memorable storms of July and August, 1867, in. Lyall's Bay, 

 amongst numbers of Hapuka and other fish that had been stranded, we observed several 

 bodies of Diomedea exxdans, that had perhaps been dashed against the rocky cliffs, by the 

 violence of the storm. 



