168 
the southern extremity of New Zealand there are two small piu- 
o-uins; while the coasts round about are teeming with albatrosses, 
storm-petrels, "sea-gulls, and sea-swallows. Of the yellow headed 
Australian Sula w r e found numerous bevies swimming about outside 
the entrance to the harbour of Auckland. 
The number of molluscas found on the coasts of New Zealand 
is very considerable. In all there have been described about 344 
species, belonging to 123 genera, and every research furnishes new 
species. Stro minis’ Triton, Murex, Fusus, Valuta number species both 
considerable and highly prized; Valuta maynijica is the largest spe- 
cies of the latter genus. Of Strutldolaria , belonging exclusively to 
the Australian seas, there are three species known. The Cyprcea 
aurora , living in the South of the Pacific Ocean , so highly prized 
by the savages, and still dearly paid for by zoological collectors, 
is found also here. Of the numerous top-shells, there are three 
species of the genus Iinperator, — which likewise belong only to 
the South Sea , — - besides some beautiful , but rare species of Turbo. 
Ealiotis Iris (“Mutton fish” of the settlors) is here found in colossal 
specimens. The nipple-shells ( Patella ) are also very abundant, lho 
extensive cliffs of the inlets near Auckland, which cut deeply into 
the land like so many rivers are covered with savoury oysters, 
which in time of low water can he knocked off very easily. Of 
Track iopodes four species arc known ; the pretty red coloured Tere- 
bratella rubicunda, cruenta, Bourhdi and suffusa. 
Less numerous are the land- and freshwater-molluscas. Exclu- 
sive of some very fine species, such as Helix Busbyi, Bulimus 
Shongii, B. Novoseelandieus and the lately discovered magnificent 
Helix llochsteiteri Pfr. 1 from the Alps of South Island , the land- 
its plumage magnificent and resplendent with the most beautiful metallic glare. 4 he 
natives upon North Island named it Moho; upon South Island, Tulsahe. The beauti- 
ful Paradise duck (Casarca varietjala) 1 saw frequently in the highland valleys ot 
South Island near Nelson, and always in pairs. — In the mountains ol the Province 
Otago recently a large owl has been discovered, which digs holes in the ground. 
Dr. Haast also has observed this owl several times in the Alps at night. 
1 DP. L. Pfeiffer and W. Danker have described the new species brought 
home by me, in the Malakozoologieal Journals (Vol. VIII. pp. 146 154). 
