246 THE EXTINCT GIGANTIC BIRDS OF 



Maori. The body had evidently been buried in a sitting posture ; and the 

 egg must have been placed in the hands, as when found the arms were 

 extended in such a manner as to bring it immediately opposite the mouth of 

 the deceased. This, it is assumed, was in accordance wdth the Maori 

 custom, and was done for the purpose of giving the individual w^ho was 

 buried an opportunity of sustaining himself if he thought proper, or if in the 

 course of things he required sustenance. 



" ' Between the legs of the skeleton were found numerous tools, cut 

 from greenstone, including a spear, axe, and several implements, which would 

 lead to the belief that the man to whom the bones belonged must have been, 

 in some way or other, connected with the wood trade — that is to say, 

 if carpenters, cabinetmakers, &c. flourished in his time. 



" ' All the bones were in excellent preservation, one arm and hand being 

 entirely without blemish. The skull bore evidence of its proprietor having, 

 at some time or the other, received some hard knocks, probably in the 

 battle-field, while taking his part in some of those terrific encounters which 

 are supposed to have taken place in ancient times. 



" ' Unfortunately, before the man who was digging discovered the 

 natural treasure, the implement he was using came in contact with the shell 

 and broke a small piece out of the side of it ; but the fragments have been 

 carefully preserved, and might readily be fitted into the aperture. The egg 

 itself is about 10 inches in length and 7 inches in breadth, the shell being of 

 a dirty-brownish colour and rather better than the thickness of a shilling 

 coin. The inside is perfectly clear, and free from all traces of decayed 

 matter. 



" ' From what Captain Davidson tells us, we should suppose that the 

 Sfround where this relic was discovered must have been used as a cemetery 

 at some distant period of the past, as Mr. Fyffe had previously found some 

 interesting Maori emblems about the same place ; but none of the natives 

 about there (and some of them, we are informed, have arrived at very 

 mature ages) have the slightest recollection of ever having heard, as a 



