MYTHOLOGY. 
155 
was out hunting, she came to a large totara tree, in which 
she espied a pigeon sitting ; she immediately sent her long 
nails completely through the trunk ; a chief, named Hatupatu, 
was also out spearing birds at the same time; he saw the 
pigeon from the opposite side of the tree, but did not perceive 
the lady until her nails appeared through it ; and at the same 
time she saw the barb of his spear, which had likewise pene- 
trated to her side, she looked around with astonishment, 
and perceived Hatupatu, it was the first time she had ever 
seen a man, so she captured him alive, and carried him to her 
house, as a mokai, or pet. This lady appears to have been 
a great ornithologist, her house being a regular aviary, filled 
with every kind of bird, which she tended with great care ; 
amongst these she placed her new captive, doubtless con- 
sidering him a very valuable addition ; here he remained 
some time, until he began to be weary and anxious to 
escape, he was, however, treated with great kindness, and 
carefully provided for ; one day she enquired what food 
he would like to have ; he replied, some birds ; she then 
demanded, pae-hea ? to what ridge or range of hills was 
she to go for them ? Was she to go to the first ? He said, 
no. Was she to go to the second ? He replied, still further. 
She continued asking him, until she said was she to go 
to the sixth range, which was very far off ; he said, yes, 
in order that he might have sufficient time to escape whilst 
she went to such a distance. Kurangai-tuku did not much 
relish so long a walk, still she very good-naturedly set 
off, and rapidly strode from pae to pae, or from one 
range to another, for though bare foot, yet she seemed to 
possess the virtue of the seven-leagued boots. Hatupatu 
in the meantime stopped up all the holes and crevices 
of the house with flax, that none of the birds might 
escape to inform their mistress of his departure; but he 
overlooked one very little hole. When he crept out of the 
house, he carefully closed the door after him ; the riro-riro, 
which is the least of all the New Zealand birds, perceived 
the small opening which had been left, and managed to 
squeeze her little body through, and then flew straight to 
