77 



said to have been a large bird and a good diver (he manu ruku roa), also that it built its nest upon the waters, 

 and anchored the same to the bed of the lake, so that it ever floated and swayed to and fro. Certainly the 

 waters are shallow and the lake well sheltered — still, it is a large order. 



Mr. Koberts, Government Surveyor, told me that one of his men on the survey party, after 

 pursuing a Crested Grebe in his boat for half an hour, and firing several shots, finally killed it. 

 On taking it up he found, hidden under the stiff scapulars, a downy chick, alive and unhurt. 

 The devoted parent had thus carried its young, swimming and diving with it during the long 

 pursuit. 



This bird is so well known in Europe that I need not dwell upon its attractiveness as a fresh- 

 water swimmer. In New Zealand it has always been a rare species, and I have known a stuffed 

 specimen sold for as much as £5. It is rigidly protected by the Government, but I am glad to 

 say that, with the kind assistance of Mr. Justice Chapman, I have been fortunate enough to 

 obtain an official " permit " to take a live pair from the South Island for the purpose of placing 

 them on the Papaitonga Lake, where they are likely to establish themselves in perpetuity, 

 breeding freely among the raupo and sedges, and always protected against molestation of any 

 kind. A more ideal home for such birds could scarcely be imagined ; and it will be interesting to 

 have this species associated on the same waters with the native Dabchick, which is so plentiful 

 there. 



In illustration of the subject, I reproduce here one of my daughter's beautiful photographs 

 of New Zealand scenery. 





PAPAITONGA LAKE : WESTERN ARM. 



