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lighthouse-keeper's cat. . . ; Not only scientists but all New Zealanders who take an interest in the 

 preservation of whatever is specially characteristic of the Colony, will deplore the extermination of such an 

 interesting creature. It is indeed saddening to reflect how, one by one, the rare and wonderful birds which 

 have made New Zealand an object of supreme interest among scientists all over the world are gradually 

 becoming extinct. . . . And we certainly think it would be as well if the Marine Department, in sending 

 lighthouse-keepers to isolated islands where interesting specimens of native fauna are known or believed to 

 exist, were to see that they are not allowed to take any cats with them, even if mouse-traps have to be 

 furnished at the cost of the State. 



Mr. W. W. Smith, of Ashburton, in a letter to the same journal, writes : — 



The setting apart of the Little Barrier and Eesolution Islands as sanctuaries for vanishing native birds 

 is a lasting honour to the originator of the scheme — the Earl of Onslow — and the present Government who 

 adopted and put it in force. But, as Mr. Purnell observes, 'It is one thing to maintain preserves of native 

 birds in two secluded spots, inaccessible to the vast majority of the inhabitants of New Zealand, and quite 

 another to have those birds fluttering daily about us/ It is for the rare species still lingering in the forests 

 and other favoured spots on the mainland we appeal ; and if the Government would act as promptly in stopping 

 marauders, commonly called natural history collectors, from visiting the outlying islands of New Zealand, 

 and carrying off tuataras and rarer birds by hundreds, as it did the seal-poachers in the southern islands last 

 year, it would gain the gratitude of science and coming generations. 



With the views thus forcibly expressed it is impossible not to agree ; and I believe 

 measures for the better conservation of these island faunas have been under the consideration 

 of the Government. But the collection of skins for trade purposes is, of course, a very 

 different thing to the formation of a complete type-collection for the Colonial and other 

 local museums. 



Very diligent search has been made on Stephen Island for further specimens of the 

 Island Wren, but without success, and there is too much reason to fear that this species has 

 almost immediately after its discovery become extinct. It is much to be regretted that there 

 is not a specimen in any one of our local museums. 



I cannot see that any share of the blame attaches to Mr. Travers, as the above 

 newspaper article would seem to imply. It is acknowledged that the offending cat would 

 have devoured them all, if Mr. Travers' agent had not been there to rescue some for science. 

 On the other hand, but for the intervention of the cat we should probably never have heard 

 of this nocturnal species at all. 



Of course, we cannot but deplore the fact that this form has been, to all appearance, 

 blotted out. But I think we may derive comfort from the reflection that a large series of 

 specimens (including, I believe, several in spirits) are represented in the magnificent New 

 Zealand collection now existing in the Tring Museum. Of its habits, unfortunately, we 

 know nothing. Mr. Lyall, the lighthouse-keeper, through whom, I believe, all the specimens 

 were procured, reports that, so far as he could judge, it was crepuscular in its habits. If 

 that be so, it is certainly a very interesting fact in the natural history of such a bird. 



