NATURAL HISTORY. 
603 
with their snowy summits are even yet little known, but it is 
from those who have been their chief explorers, that the best 
evidence of their existence is derived. Dr. Hector, the 
Government Geologist, found their tracks in those Alpine 
solitudes, paths two feet in width running through the 
Manuka Scrub. Mr. Mailing discovered their foot-prints ; 
gold diggers declare they have even seen the bird itself, but 
Dr. Haast, our enterprising naturalist, has actually heard 
their call ; his statement is as follows : — 
“ I believe I have convincing proof, that in those never- 
before trodden Alpine forests (Canterbury province), there 
exists a large kiwi, the existence of which till the present time 
was quite unknown; I have heard many times the roa, the large 
kiwi of the western coast, but his call is like the cry of a child 
to the voice of a powerful man, when compared to the call 
which we heard in the Alps while encamped at the edge of 
an extensive forest ; it was towards midnight, and though 
fast asleep, ws were all awakened by this remarkably loud 
call.” I cannot doubt, therefore, that Dr. Haast and his 
companions have really heard the cry of that struthious giant 
— the moa. 
The bones of this bird are found widely spread over both 
islands, but further notice is deferred until one is actually 
captured, which may be confidently expected before long. 
The fossil remains are confined to those of birds, excepting 
of a solitary saurian, said to have been found in the oolite of 
the Middle Island, which Professor Owen pronounced to be 
a plesiosaurian, but it is doubtful whether the specimen really 
came at all from New Zealand. 
The mammalia are supposed to have only the rat to repre- 
sent them, but there is little doubt now of the existence of 
another. When Captain Cook was at Dusky Bay in 1773, 
he stated : — “ For three or four days after we arrived in 
Pickersgill Harbour, and as we were clearing the woods to 
set up our tents, &c., a four-footed animal was seen by three 
or four of our people ; but as no two gave the same descrip- 
tion of it, I cannot say of what kind it was : all, however, 
agreed that it was about the size of a cat, with short legs. 
