Order PODTCIPEDIDIFOEMES.] 



[Family PODICIPEDID^. 



PODICEPS EUFI PECTUS. 



(NEW ZEALAND DABOHICK.) 



Podiceps rufipectus, Gray; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. ii., p. 280. 



This interesting little bird is still numerous on the lagoons of the west coast of the Wellington 

 provincial district, where, indeed, it appears to be increasing. The pairing season commences in 

 September, and the birds become then very noisy, chattering to each other across the water all 

 day long. At this season it is very amusing to witness the amorous gambols on the water of these 

 otherwise sedate swimmers, with their backs arched and feathers puffed out, splashing about and 

 chasing each other in the wildest state of excitement. 



This is one of the most interesting inhabitants of the Papaitonga Lake, where it is extremely 

 plentiful, as the result of close protection. It is interesting to hear these birds on the lake, in the 

 breeding season, " scolding " each other and keeping up a loud confabulation. A pair brought out 

 their brood of five about the 15th of December. It was very pretty to observe one of the old 

 birds swimming over the smooth water followed by her little crowd of young ones, and then 

 detaching herself for a time to gambol with her mate, and to skim the surface of the water, 

 apparently in the height of playful enjoyment. 



This bird is called " Taihoropi " by the Ngapuhi tribe, "Weweia"by the Eotorua natives, 

 and " Taratitomoho " in the Waikato. 



Nestling. Covered with short, thick-set down, yellowish-white on the upper surface, with a 

 broad longitudinal streak of blackish -brown extending the whole length of the body. This 

 marking reappears on the sides of the body, but is not continuous, being broken in the 

 middle. 



LOPHjETHYIA CIUSTATA. 



(GREAT CRESTED GREBE.) 



Podiceps cristatus, Linn. ; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, yoI. ii., p. 283. 



In the Museum at Invercargill there is a crested Grebe in full plumage, with a very full ruff, of a 

 dark chestnut colour, with black tips, and with a double occipital crest of lanceolate, black 

 feathers. 



As already stated (vol. ii., p. 285), I have received several specimens from Waikare-iti Lake 

 in the North Island. This is the bird referred to as the 'Kaaha' by Mr. Elsdon Best in his 

 ' Sketches from Tuhoeland ' ; and the account of the floating' nest (strange as it appeared to him) 

 is perfectly natural : — 



Another bird which has become extinct is the Kaaha, which formerly frequented Lake Waikare-iti, a very 

 beautiful, but little known lake, situated on the ranges between Waikare-moana and Mount Manuhoa. It is 



