GENERAL ZOOLOGY. 



13 



recentl}"- surviving species of a genus akin to tlie Binornis, and one of whicli 

 tlicre does not appear to exist a sljin in any of the Australian Museums. The 

 occurrence of tlie White Gallinule on both islands within the historical period 

 is a very interesting point, and one of the most prominent features in the 

 evident'relation which exist between their fauna and that of Now Zealand. 

 It is possible of course, although not probable, that a few individuals may 

 still remain in the hilly and less frequented portions of Norfolk Island, but 

 with regard to Lord Howe I fear jio trace is likely to be found. Writing of 

 the New Zealand bird, Notornis Mantelli, Owen, the typo of this genus, Buller 

 says, " Thus, the three known examples have been taken from localities mnety 

 miles apart, and over an interval of thirty-five years, proving pretty con- 

 clusively that the species still survives in the remote parts of the country."* 

 This may also apply to Norfolk Island. It is very interesting to find that 

 one of the most philosophic minds who have ever written on the subject of 

 life distribution, Alfred Eussell Wallace, should have conceived the pro- 

 bable existence of a cursorial bird on Norfolk Island, apparently without any 

 knowledge of Notornis alba. Speaking of the Chatham Islands, he says, 

 '• It is to be hoped that some search will be made here, and also in Norfolk 

 Island, in both of which it is not improbable remains, either of Apterijx, or 

 Binornis might be discovered. "f 



Soon to become extinct on Lord Howe, unless protected, is the Wood- 

 Hen, Oci/dromus sylvestris, Sclater, a curious and stupid bird. At the 

 present time its range is confined to the extreme southern end of the island, 

 in Erskine Valley, and the ground around the sea-girt base of Mount Gower. 

 It is even now rare and difficult to obtain, and would be impossible of cap- 

 ture were it not for the fact that its curiosity overcomes its shyness. Its 

 gradual extinction is probably due to the ravages committed by the wild 

 domestic cats. During a journey to Mount Grower, primarily to procure 

 specimens, only one individual was seen, and during the whole of our resi- 

 dence there those well acquainted with their haunts could obtain but four 

 others. Ocydromus sijlvestris can be attracted within gun shot by any con- 

 tinuous and varied noise, such as knocking two stones together, striking 

 against a tree, occasional whistling, and other peculiar but discordant noises. 

 Mr. E. D. Pitzgerald, Deputy Surveyor-G-eneral, during a trip to Mount 

 Grower at the time of Cloete's Expedition had an excellent opportunity of 

 witnessing the method adopted by the Islanders for catching this bird. His 

 account is as followsj :— " Ned suddenly stopped with the exclamation, 

 'That's a wood-hen!' as a note like two rasps at a saw is heard at some 

 distance among the lower stones and fern. Then he imitates the bird, and 

 the wood-hen answers. He tries the imitation again, but the bird is silent. 

 Tom strikes the back of the tomahawk against a tree, again the bird answers. 

 Then the strokes of the tomahawk are of no use, and the barking of a dog is 

 tried with effect, at each time the answer being a little nearer, and so on. 

 Anything that strikes him as strange, say a scrap of the National Anthem 

 by all hands, or the crowing of a cock, or anything else with which 

 the bird is not likely to be acquainted. Nearer and nearer comes the answer, 

 till suddenly out runs a bird, like a large corn-crake, in a daft sort of way, 

 up to their very feet." 



Ducks are occasionally known to visit the island, but we were unable to 

 ascertain the species. Dr. Eamsay quotes Anas superciliosa, G-ould. 



* Manual of the Birds of New Zealand, 1882, p. 65. 



+ Island Life, 1880, p. 450. 



X Hill's Lord Howe Island, 1870, p. 42. 



