88 ELASMONETTA CHLOROTIS 



disappeared. "They are too simple for the changed times, and are fast succumbing 

 to the inevitable." But as late as 1893, Buller (1893) found it "still very plentiful on 

 the west coast of Wellington." Now it is probably to be found only in the more 

 inaccessible or secluded localities. Myers (1923) in his paper on the status of endemic 

 species has the following to say about it: 



"This species, which is less dependent on large sheets of water than are any of the 

 other species, is not very frequently recorded by ordinary bird-lovers. It is, how- 

 ever, fairly generally distributed. Guthrie-Smith (1921) considers that it will always 

 survive on his run in Hawke's Bay wherever undrainable marshlands and boggy 

 creeks remain. In two widely separated localities on the opposite (west) coast of the 

 same Island it is not uncommon (1914, 1915). From a neighbouring district Major 

 Wilson (1922) writes that it is rapidly disappearing if not already gone. In the far 

 North it is decreasing considerably, and should certainly be no longer shot, at least 

 for some seasons. The fact that it is protected apparently makes little difference." 

 Since then Mr. Myers has told me himself that he cannot account for the very gen- 

 eral decrease of this species. 



Food Value. The flesh of this duck is held in high esteem. 



Hunt. Before the advent of the white man the Maoris hunted these birds on a 

 large scale, using the snare (Buller, 1905). With the white man came the large duck 

 guns, and these are what has caused the greatest havoc. 



Behavior in Captivity. Apparently this species has never yet been introduced 

 into Europe or America. Mr. Blaauw writes me that he has not been able to ob- 

 tain it alive. 



