124 
GBIIEN OBOUND PABBOT. 
be tbe average number of young in a brood of tbe smaller Pezophori, 
it appears tbat tbe larger species^ Sirigops hahrop>tilus for instance, 
only lay one egg at a time, and have no more than two young in 
tbe season; from wbicb it will be readily gathered tbat so unprolific 
a bird, especially when so imperfectly provided with means of escape 
from its now numerous enemies, wild cats, and rats of European origin, 
will very soon become extinct in tbe islands where it was formerly 
found in sufficient abundance. 
This disappearance of a curious animal is to be regretted for many 
reasons, but is, apparently, in tbe nature of things, unavoidable; and 
doubtless it has played, or almost played out its part in tbe economy 
of nature, libe tbe Moa and tbe Einornis, and, there being no further 
reason for its presence on a sufficiently crowded scene, exit Pezopliorus, 
is tbe stage direction tbat must be strictly obeyed, or confusion would 
certainly ensue. 
