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111 the Bay of Plenty district there are Duck-preserves which are a source of great profit to the 
natives and are jealously guarded by them. From October to February no canoes are permitted on 
the principal lake, and no fires are allowed to be lighted in the \icinity. Various kinds of Duck breed 
here in great numbers. From feeding on the small green beetle and on the nahonaho, a stingless gnat 
which swarms in countless myriads over all the waters in the lake district, the birds become extremely 
fat ; and during the moul ting-season, which extends over part of February and March, they are incapable 
of flight owing to the loss of their quills. The strict “tapu” which is enforced during the close 
season is now removed with great ceremony, and all the population, men, women, and children, start 
together on a Duck-hunting expedition. The men with dogs in short leashes keep within the belt of 
manuka scrub along the margin of the lake ; the women and children proceed to the middle of the 
lake in canoes, then take to the water, and with great noise and splashing drive the frightened birds 
up into the bays or inlets, where they seek refuge in the scrub and sedges and are immediately 
pounced upon by the trained dogs which are still held in leash. The Duck-hunter snatches the bird 
away from the dog, kills it noiselessly by biting it in the head, and then throws it behind him to be 
collected by a party of women who follow on foot for that purpose. In the season of 1867, seven 
thousand, it is said, were caught in tliis manner, in three days, on one lake alone. These were 
not all Grey Duck, but included also the Black Teal (or Scaupj, the Shoveller, and the White- 
winged Duck. 
At the Bitter Lake (Kotokawa), in the Taupo district, they are caught in a similar manner. 
Those that escape the dogs are caught by snares set at night. The snares are placed along the 
margins of the lake and on the warm stones where the Ducks are accustomed to congregate after 
dark. 
Captain Mair says : — “ At Eotoiti, Kotoehu, and Rotoma, as well as on other lakes in the Bay 
of Plenty district, I have observed that the Ducks at one season leave the waters and travel into the 
surrounding woods. This happens about March and therefore not during the breeding months. 
Probably they retire for more security during the seasonal moult ; for although at other times these 
lakes fairly swarm with Ducks, at this period they are quite deserted. In the woods, however, the 
dogs turn them up in all directions. When on the lakes it is interesting to watch the Ducks feeding 
on the gnats and green beetles which float on the surface of the warm water, forming a thick scum. 
On this diet they are always in good condition. The beetles, I may mention, get shaken into the 
water from the overhanging scrub by the action of the winds, and the gnats appear to be killed by 
the sulphurous vapour that rises from the water, and are seen floating on the surface in countless 
millions.” 
From the gullet I have taken a quantity of the minute seed of TriglocJmi triandmin, a common 
aquatic plant. The various species of Lenina appear also to contribute to the sustenance of this bird. 
There is a large raupo-swamp at Matata — lying between the sea-coast and the hills — extending 
some fifteen or sixteen miles in all directions, crossed in some places by narrow ridges of dry land, 
and intersected by a perfect network of streams whose courses are indicated by long tortuous lines or 
fringes of weeping-willows. It was from the Maori pahs placed in well selected positions within 
these extensive marshes that Major Mair and his Arawa contingent had, in 1865, to dislodge the 
hostile tribes who were harbouring the murderers of Volkner and Fulloon. Accompanied by a force 
of 500 “ friendlies ” he pursued the enemy from point to point, and finally captured the whole of 
them (numbering in all 600) in the very gallant attack which he made on Te Teko. These singular 
fens are naturally a great rendezvous for Waterfowl of all kinds, and since the destruction of Eoto- 
mahana by the volcanic outbreak of Tarawera, it is undoubtedly the best shooting-ground in the 
colony. The Grey Duck, Scaup, Brown Teal, Shoveller, Bittern, and Pukeko are all equally 
abundant, and a sportsman in a canoe, with a Maori boy to do the paddling, may easily bag 50 brace 
