49 



much-enduring coprosma ; the constantly recurring bush fires have cleared off 

 the stately Ti palms (so fragrant in early spring) ; dwarfed flax bushes, altered 

 the condition of various grasses, improving some for grazing, effected a speedier 

 drainage, and dried up the shallow lagoons. Thousands of sheep now depasture 

 on that well-remembered corner of "the plains," on those gently-swelling 

 downs ; instead of the varied cries of birds we have the bleating of flocks, the 

 bark of the colley as it rounds up its charge, the loud crack of the stockwhip, 

 the hearty curse of the bullock driver delivered " ore rotundo ;" these changes 

 form part of the evidence that testifies to the progress of our civilization. 



If from some of the causes thus pointed out, or the rapid rate at which the 

 timber forests have been wasted or destroyed,* the introduction of bees (and 

 the numbers of swarms met with in the bush may easily account for some 

 diminution in the food of the Meliphagidae), the spread of cats, and even rats, 

 or from the feeble hold on life which appears to be shared by every living 

 thing that is indigenous, whether animal or vegetable, when brought into 

 contact with foreign influences, it should be deemed impossible to avert the 

 impending fate which threatens the existence of -many species of our native 

 birds, we must endeavour to find some compensation for so great a misfortune, 

 in the success which has attended the introduction of foreign birds in many 

 parts of the country. The Pheasant, Partridge, and Californian Quail, are 

 amongst the best of the game birds that may be considered as established 

 amongst us. The Black Swan, introduced in Canterbury to check the growth 

 of another foreigner (watercress), Shell Parroquet, Thrushes, Blackbirds, 

 Larks, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Sparrows, Starlings, etc., from increasing 

 numbers, promise very soon to give additional interest to our rural scenery. 



LIST OF BIRDS 



DESCRIBED IN THIS PAPER, WITH THE MEASUREMENTS OF THEIR EGGS. 



Measurement of Eggs. 



Length. Breadth. 



No. 



1. Falco Novae Zelandiae, Gml. 



2. Circus assimilis, Jard. . 

 7. Halcyon vagans, Gray 



10. Prosthemadera Novae Zelandiae, Gml. 



11. Anthornis melanura, Sparrm. 

 15. Pogonornis cincta, Dubus. 



18. Acanthisitta chloris, Sparmm. 



19. Mohoua ocrocephala, Gml. 



20. Sphenceacus punctatus, Quoy. 



25. Gerygone assimilis, Buller 



26. Certhiparus Novae Zelandiae, Gml. 



27. ,, albicilla, Less. 

 29. Petroica macrocephala, Gml. 



31. ,, toi toi, Less, and Garn. 



32. „ longipes, Less, and Garn 



33. „ albifrons, Gml. 



34. Anthus Novae Zelandiae, Gml. . 



35. Zosterops lateralis, Lath. 



in. 



lines. 



in. 



lines 



2 







1 



6 



1 



11 



1 



6 



1 



o% 







101 



1 



2 







10 







11 







8* 







91 







7 







n 







6 







101 







8 







10 







7 f 







8 







6 







10| 







71 



'2 







9 







7 







9 







7 



1 











9 







101 







8 







8 







64 



*According to a return recently laid before the Provincial Council, over upwards of 

 170,000 acres of bush land, have depasturing licenses been granted by the Waste Lands 

 Board of the Province of Canterbury. Is it the interest of the licensees to preserve 

 timber ? 



