306 
Memoranda of an Excursion 
in height, and 2 feet 9 inches in girth; bearing a pro¬ 
fusion of lovely blossoms and fragrant edible fruit. 
Don (Syst. J3ot., v. ii., p. 679), describes this species 
as “ a shrub from New Zealand, 2-3 feet in height.” 
At Waikare I remained during the night; and, on 
the next morning, the 22nd, obtaining a boat, a row of 
three hours returned us in safety to Paihia, one of the 
Church Missionary Society’s stations in the Bay of 
Islands. In our passage down the Waikare River, 
several fine Gannets ( Sula , sp.) attracted our attention. 
We pursued one, swimming on the water, and very 
nearly seized him. In order to escape us, and just as 
our boat was upon him, he disgorged a large fish winch 
he had recently swallowed, and took to flight. This fish 
measured 11 inches in length, and 9J inches in girth, and 
was quite whole. The natives often take this bird by 
watching its movements, and giving chace directly after 
it has gorged itself with food, when it is easily taken. 
They call it Takupu. A small but graceful species of 
Garfish ( Belone, Cuv .), hastening away from its vora¬ 
cious pursuers, flew, or rather sprung, into my boat. 
This fish is common here in the summer months. Its 
under jaw alone is produced. It swims in shoals, and 
often scuds along on the surface of the water, some¬ 
times taking a long leap, especially when pursued by 
larger fish. It is very delicate eating, and is justly 
esteemed both by whites and natives. The natives take 
them in large quantities with small nets. Here, they 
call them, Takeke; but among the southern tribes, Ihe. 
In concluding this somewhat incongruous collection 
of Memoranda, I would embrace the opportunity of 
stating, as my decided opinion, that New Zealand pre- 
