198 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Anas superciliosa, Gmel. — Grey Duck. 



In tlie Bay of Plenty district there are duck preserves whicli are a source 

 of great profit to the natives and are jealously guarded by them. Eoto- 

 mahana — a warm lake of little more than half a mile in length — is one of 

 these. From October to February no canoes are permitted on this lake, 

 and no fires are allowed to be lighted in the vicinity. Various kmds of 

 duck breed here in great numbers. From feeding on the small green 

 beetle and on the nahonaho, a stingless gnat which swarms in countless 

 myriads over all the waters in the lake district, the birds become extremely 

 fat ; and during the moulting season, which extends over part of February 

 and March, they are incapable of flight owing to the loss of then* quUls. 

 The strict " tapu " which is enforced during the close season is now removed 

 with great ceremony, and all the population, men, women, and children, 

 start together on a duck-hunting expedition. The men with dogs in short 

 leashes keep within the belt of manuka scrub along the margin of the lake ; 

 the women and childi-en proceed ^to the middle of the lake in canoes, 

 then take to the water, and with great noise and splashing drive the 

 frightened birds up into the bays or inlets, where they seek refuge in the 

 scrub and sedges and are immediately pounced upon by the trained dogs 

 which are still held in leash. The duck-hunter snatches the bird away from 

 the dog, kills it noiselessly by biting it in the head, and then throws it 

 behind him to be collected by a party of women who follow on foot for that 

 purpose. In the season of 1867, seven thousand, it is said, were caught 

 in this manner, in three days, on this lake alone. These were not all 

 grey duck, but included also the black teal (or pochard), the shoveller, and 

 the white-winged duck. 



At the Bitter Lake (Eotokawa),in the Taupo district, they are caught in 

 a similar manner. Those that escape the dogs are caught by snares set at 

 night. The snares are placed along the margins of the lake and on the 

 warm stones where the ducks are accustomed to congregate after dark. 



At Eotoiti, Eotoehu, and Eotoma, as well as on other lakes in the Bay 

 of Plenty district. Captain Mair has observed that the ducks at one season 

 leave the waters and travel into the surrounding woods. This happens 

 about March and therefore not during the breeding months. Probably they 

 retire for more security during the seasonal moult ; for although at other 

 times these lakes fairly swarm with ducks, at this period they are quite 

 deserted. lu the woods, however, the dogs turn them up in all du-ections, 

 He further says : — " It is interesting to watch the ducks feeding on the gnats 

 and green beetles which float on the surface of the warm water, forming a 

 thick scum. On this diet they are always in good condition. The beetles, 

 I may mention, get shaken into the water from the overhanging scrub 



