Ill 
toils through the high fern, or seeks a camping-place at the edge of the forest. Long after the 
twilight has faded away he may hear at intervals the peculiar toll-note of the Tui, cho^-cliop-chojp, or 
the far-off cry of the Koheperoa ; but the note that will last, at intervals, through the long watches of 
the night is that of the Weka, generally thrice repeated and followed by a shriller one, the two sexes, 
as already stated, performing in concert. In the dark Faffus-forests of the hills, where even Owls are 
scarce, the cry of the Woodhen is the only sound that breaks the stillness of the night ; and, owing 
to its peculiar shrillness, it may be heard to a considerable distance. In some conditions of the atmo- 
sphere, indeed, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from the piercing call of the A])teryx. 
During certain seasons of the year the Weka keeps strictly to the woods, seeking its subsistence 
among the fallen ddbris of the forest vegetation, and digging for worms and grubs in the loose 
vegetable mould that accumulates around the roots of the trees. It may often be seen leisurely 
crossing the narrow bush-path, or turning over the fallen leaves in the more open parts of the forest ; 
but in these localities it is always difficult to procure because of the abundant cover, and the impos- 
sibility of hunting it far even with a dog. In the soft sunshine of November, when the noisy hum 
of insect life betokens the presence of midsummer — when the low underwood is spangled with the 
snow-white flowers of the wild convolvulus and the air is laden wnth a delicious perfume from the 
waxy blossoms of the small Clematis — the Weka leaves the dark shade of the forest and comes forth 
with her well-grown brood to feed on the ground-berries that ripen at this season, and to feast on 
the crickets and beetles that are brought into activity by the genial warmth of the sun. Here it may 
be easily hunted down and captured with the aid of a dog. 
As already stated, the Woodhen often converts its burrow into a breeding-place; but the 
following description of a nest found on the banks of tbe Manawatu river will show that other situa- 
tions are sometimes selected. An aged kahikatea in tumbling to the ground had fallen athwart a 
huge gnarled stump, and remained in that position. Under the shelter afibrded by the overlying 
trunk and among the knotted roots of the supporting stump the Weka had placed her nest, forming 
it of dry flags of the puwharawhara [Astelia cunningliamii) loosely arranged. The nest was so 
admirably concealed by a growth of ferns that nothing but accident could have led to its discovery. 
It contained two eggs, which is the usual number, although I have occasionally met with a nest of 
three. These are slightly ovoido-conical in form, measuring 2’4 inches in length by 1'7 in breadth, 
and are of a creamy white colour, marked all over, but especially at the larger end, with small obscure 
spots of purple and brown. Examples differ slightly both in size and form ; and in some the 
markings at the thick end assume a rounded well-defined character, similar to those which adorn the 
eggs of Ballus pliilippensis. 
On the outskirts of the woods this Rail may sometimes be seen consorting with the half-wild 
barndoor fowls from the Maori villages, and there is a widespread popular belief that they often inter- 
breed, producing a hybrid offspring with hairy plumage and aborted quill-feathers. One of these 
supposed hybrids (a fine male bird) was sent to me by Dr. Lewis, the Medical Superintendent at 
Rotorua, and having brought the specimen to England, preserved in spirits, I placed it in the hands 
of the well-known comparative anatomist. Dr. Murie, for examination. He made a careful dissection 
and sent me a full report, showing that, notwithstanding a certain outward or superficial resemblance 
to a Weka, all the characters are Galline and not Ralline. Another specimen (an adult female), which 
I obtained at Manawatu, was submitted to Mr. Frank Beddard, the Prosector to the Zoological 
Society, and with a like result. This question may therefore be regarded as finally set at rest. 
