22 
once numerous and gigantic marsupial fauna was brought about by 
man, who would prey upon the larger and less active animals> 
leaving the smaller as less worthy of his attention, as well as more 
difficult of ca]iture ; hence the jirevalence of larger forms in the 
fossil marsujiials of Australia than in tlie existing races. It is also 
probable, that the extinction of the “Kiore,” or native Eat, the 
only indigenous terrestrial mammal known to have existed in ISTew 
Zealand (two species of Bats are found), if indeed even that was 
really indigenous, was brought about by the esteem in which it 
was held by the natives as an article of food. Tliis beast, of 
which very little is known, appears to have been a nocturnal 
animal, and was caught in pitfalls baited with roasted berries. 
We can readily imagine that upon the landing of the Maories 
on the shores of lie w Zealand, where such a paucity, if not entire 
absence of other animal food existed, the giant struthious birds 
would be diligently sought for, and with their eggs and young fall 
ready victims to their new enemies. Their extinction would thus 
be only a matter of time. The dogs which are supposed to have 
accompanied the Maories would probably greatly assist in this 
destruction. 
But^ strong as the temptation to wander over time and 
space IS, I must restrict myself to recent times, and leave the 
fascmating shores of tlie Australian region, Avith its fauna of “ living 
fossils,” and the not less attractive isles of the sea sacred to the 
extinct Dodo and Solitaire, and passing over the devastation brouglit 
about indirectly by acts of man, such as firing bush or jungle, and the 
in roc uction of Pigs, Eats, Cats, and even Honey-bees, confine myself 
to the only instance which I can call to mind of the extinction of 
a bird in modern times by the direct action of man, and even in this 
solitary instance as will be seen, nature had a hand. In the case 
0 tie Crane, Wild Goose, Bustard, and several other birds which 
lave become lost to this country as residents; the chief cause of 
their desertion has undoubtedly been drainage and improved 
cultivation. Ihey long withstood man’s direct efforts, and would 
probably long have continued to do so ; but finally went down 
before causes, which, certainly had not their extermination for 
