228 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
country, and not being aware of the proximity of any land to 
which it could resort, nor of the powers of flight of which a 
bird is capable—asserted that it spent its winter on a whale’s 
back! Like the European cuckoos, it changes its note in 
about a month after its arrival, which, to the New Zealander, 
is very pleasing, being his assured sign of summer. It is a 
bold bird, coming frequently into gardens in search of insects. 
By the natives of these parts it is called Koekoea; but, by 
the northern tribes, Pipiwarauroa. 
Leaving Anaura, and striking inland, I ascended some 
steep hills, on whose summits I noticed several line trees of 
the Trophis genus (7 T . opaca? Sol.); none, however, pos¬ 
sessing either flower or fruit. Passed some clumps of Kalii- 
katea ( Dacrydium cxcelsum) this day; the land about being 
swampy, rushy, and very poor. Secured some fine speci¬ 
mens of the genus Epilobium , and two new ferns, Polypo¬ 
dium sylvaticum , and I) ax alii a No vce-Zcala n di ce, * which 
grew' here, beneath the forest’s shade. Arriving at the banks 
of the river Uawa, at present a muddy rapid stream, swollen 
greatly through the late rains, I noticed a Lobelia (probably, 
L. angulata, Forst.), and a species of Violacece (Erpcfion? 
Don.), growing thickly on its banks. After some little time 
spent in fording the stream (which I managed to do with the 
assistance of some strong natives), I continued my journey 
until I arrived at Mangatuna, a small village, where, on the 
pressing solicitation of the chief, I consented to spend the 
night. Here, I found an old blind chief, who, for a time, 
valiantly defended the native superstitions. Our discussion, 
which was not a little animated, engrossed the attention of 
the by-standers. This old man, whose name was JIakahaka, 
also stated, that he recollected Cook’s visit in 1760, although 
he was but a very little boy then. From this village, recross- 
* Vide, “ Filices 'Novcb. A Classification, fyc. Tasmanian Journal, 
Vol.ii, p.lGl, for a description of these ferns, and of several other new 
species discovered in this excursion. 
