70 BIRDS, QUADRUPEDS, 
repaid if they shoot or otherwise take one. The 
down on the breast is the part most sought after. 
They skin the bird ; and hang the skin, with the 
feathers on it, to dry in the sun ; then pluck the 
larger feathers off, to ornament their canoes; 
and cut into round tufts the skin with the down 
on, which they place in their ears ; the beautiful 
whiteness of the down forming a striking con- 
trast to the dirty face and black hair of the 
wearer. The gannet and the penguin are the 
other birds in greatest request for their feathers. 
All the war-canoes are ornamented from stem 
to stern ; and, when the feathers are first laid on, 
look remarkably neat. Those with which the han- 
dles of the clubs are ornamented, are taken from 
under the wing of the kaka, or great brown parrot. 
The only quadruped— and that must come under 
the name of reptile — known as aboriginal in 
New Zealand, except a small field-rat^, is a lizard, 
about six inches long. It takes up its abode 
among decayed trees and heaps of stones ; and 
is remarkably shy and timid, though mostly al- 
lowed to enjoy itself uninjured by man. In the 
beginning of spring it casts its old skin, and is 
beautifully covered with bright enamelled scales, 
which shine, and look like highly-polished armour, 
in the rays of the sun. Their colours are va- 
riable: some are a beautiful green, variegated 
* The natives tell us that rats were introduced in the first 
ship, by Tasman. 
