H. Teayers. — On the Chatham Isla7ids. 125 



feet deep. In several parts of the island tliis peat has been on fire for years, 

 burning at a considerable depth below the surface, which, when sufficiently- 

 undermined, caves in, and is consumed. I have seen the loose ashes arising 

 from these fii-es, upwards of thirty feet deep. In one place I noticed, in the 

 burning peat, at a depth of six or seven feet from the surface, trunks of trees 

 of a growth evidently far exceeding any that are now to be found on the 

 islands. I was, I am sorry to say, unable to obtain any specimens, in con- 

 sequence of the great height of the wall of peat, and the mass of ashes below. 

 The surface growth (exclusive of bush) consists principally of grasses and 

 sedges, with small patches of fern ; but I have little doubt that large numbers 

 of indigenous herbaceous plants have been destroyed, partly by the constant 

 firing of the surface by the natives, and partly by the j)igs, cattle, and horses. 

 Nearly the whole country had, iu fact, been burnt shortly before my arrival. 

 " There are at present but few land birds either on this or on Pitt's 

 Island. Formerly the White Crane {HerocUas jiavirostris) , the Bittern 

 (Botaurits poicilopferus) , an Apteryx, said by the Maoris to have been identi- 

 cal with a New Zealand species, and also, according to their accounts, a 

 smaller species of the same bird, the Weka {Ocydromios australis), and the 

 Kakapo (Striyojjs hah-optilus) were found on both islands, but have become 

 extinct since their invasion by the New Zealanders. Mr. Hunt informed 

 me that the last time he saw the Bittern was about three years ago. The land 

 birds now found are a large Kite, the Pigeon, the Tui or Parson Bird {Pros- 

 themadera novcs-zealandice) , the Pukeko {Porphyrio melanotits) , the Parakeet 

 {Platycercus, sp?) , the Fan-tail (^Ehipidura) , the Lark, and a small Titmouse, 

 all identical with the birds of the same genera found on New Zealand. I 

 was told by Mr. Hunt that the Pigeon was first seen on the islands within the 

 last eight years, and that the Titmouse appeared shortly after the occurrence 

 of the great fires in Australia, known as the Black Thursday fires. Mr. Hunt 

 is a very careful and trustworthy person, and as his statement relative to the 

 Pigeon was confirmed by the Maoris, I have full reason for believing what 

 he told me in regard to both birds. Of aquatic birds I saw the Grray Duck, 

 Brown Teal, and two species of Shag common in New Zealand, and a large 

 number of G-uUs and other sea birds similar to those which frequent the 

 coast of that country. Mutton-birds were extraordinarily numerous on a 

 rock known as the Port, lying between Chatham and Pitt's Island. During 

 my journey round Chatham Island, of which I have given an account above, 

 I saw a peculiar Teal on one of the lagoons near the Eed Bluff. This bird 

 had bright scarlet markings on the wings. I fired at it, but owing to the 

 great dampness of the weather, the gun I had with me hung fire, and I missed 

 the bird. I never saw another specimen, and was informed that it is very 

 uncommon. The number of land birds of all kinds, however, is extremely 



