NATURAL HISTORY. 
621 
b aides,) a black, or black and white bird, abounding in rivers 
and harbours. The cormorants are sociable birds, and build 
their nests in great numbers on the same tree, overhanging 
the water ; the smell of one of these colonies is almost in- 
supportable. G. Girrhatus , G. Melanoleucus, G. Varius, 
G. Punctatus , G. Brevirostris , G. Chalconotus, and G. Stido- 
cephalus. 
Fam. Sylviadce Erythaca. — The totara, a slate-colored 
bird, with a few little white feathers near the bill, the New 
Zealand robin, a very grave but social bird, always following 
the steps of man, and commonly known by the name of 
“ The Doctor/’ 
There are several birds omitted in this list, which are not 
classed, but the most interesting are here given. 
Fam. Scincidce. — New Zealand formerly possessed many 
species of lizards, and if native accounts may be depended 
upon, many of these were of very large size ; even when 
Europeans first visited the islands, they were far more nu- 
merous than they now are ; their decrease may be attributed 
to the frequent fires, and introduction of the cat, which 
greedily preys upon them ; they are therefore now, compa- 
ratively speaking, seldom seen. The chief lizard still existing 
is the Tuatara , (tiliqua Zealandica, vel Hatteria jpundata,) the 
guana; it is about eighteen inches long; the head is large, with 
a fine benevolent eye ; it has a row of white serrated points 
on the back, with similar dark ones on the tail ; the teeth are 
rounded, and the tongue triangular ; its toes are slender ; it 
lays on its back when basking in the sun, and burrows ; it is 
now only found on the small islands in Cook’s Straits, or on 
the eastern coast of the North Island ; it is of a dark brown 
color, intermingled with yellow. The natives have a great 
horror of it, although it is perfectly harmless. 
Fam. Gechotidce . — Kakarihi ( naultinus elegans) is a beau- 
tiful bright green lizard, about eight inches long ; it has the 
power of contracting or dilating the pupil of its eye. The 
natives are much alarmed at the sight of it, and especially if 
they should hear it laugh, (so they call the noise it makes,) 
which they say is a sure sign of death to the person who 
