284 J. Cassidy—The Extinct Moa and the Living Kiwi


in large numbers. Then floods coming—there was ten times the amount

of rain we have now—would carry away the dead Moas and deposit

their bodies in all parts. For example they occurred in vast numbers in

Glenmark swamp and in the swamps near Oamaru. The country around

Glenmark and Oamaru, where the greatest deposits of bones occurred,

is almost identical in general configuration. The largest deposits have

occurred in limestone districts. It is important in this connection to note

these matters. Glenmark, Oamaru, and Albury are limestone districts.

During the summer months some of the birds would stray high up into

the mountains feeding, where I have no doubt they were, at times, over¬

taken by snow-storms and perished, owing to their being unable to

descend to the lower country. The shepherds have often discovered their

bodies on the mountain sides. Throughout the long Tertiary period

there was a greater humidity of atmosphere, and the general vegetation

was extremely rank, and on this rich vegetation the Moa, of course,

subsisted. When collecting the Moa bones we carefully forked deeply

around the place and we always found quantities of gizard stones, some

of them 2 inches in length, rounded and smooth and thoroughly

polished. These stones from the gizard were left in little heaps just where

the skeleton was turned up. When the ploughmen were ploughing the

new ground, near the Tengawa Gorge, on the Albury Estate, they turned

up some of the Maori ovens, and all around there we were able to collect

quantities of Moa bones. We also collected a number of Maori axes and

adzes, some of greenstone ; bone needles, made of Moa and Maori

bones. The latter are now in the Buller Collection in the Colonial

Museum, In the Albury district there is a considerable number of lime¬

stone caves in which the Moa hunter dwelt for ages. The walls of the

caves are covered with grotesque figures and rock paintings, including

figures of Moa, eggs, Taniwhas, etc., and numerous other illustrations

of life in that period. I have an idea that these hunters farmed some

species of Moa ; cf course the Moa-farmer would be careful to select

the species with reference to the number of eggs and to the meat for use

as a ‘ table bird ’ . . . ” But space is filled ; the story of Moa romance

and so much else must, for the time being, end here and now.



