278 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Jan. 
fronted ( C . auriceps) species, the former being the commoner. For some 
years they were continuous residents in the bush at the Glen, Mornington ; 
then they became frequent visitants, but now they have disappeared from 
all over the province. Even kaka ( Nestor meridionalis) and pigeons 
(Hemiphaga novae-zealandiqe) were at times to be seen in the suburbs, and 
were abundant—more especially the former—in the native forests which 
then covered many of the surrounding hills, the clearing of which accounts 
for their total disappearance from our neighbourhood. This cause is also 
responsible for the extinction of the canary ( Mohua ochrocephala) , of which 
I have seen large flocks travelling along amongst the tree-tops on Pine 
Hill. Kingfishers ( Halcyon vagans) were not uncommon about Pelichet 
Bay, whence they have been driven probably by the increased settle¬ 
ment there. Fantails, both the pied ( Rhipidura fabellifera) and the black 
(. R . fuliginosa), were abundant. I can remember a nest in the Glen bush, the 
builders of which, I felt certain, were a pied and a black one. They are 
not uncommon still in the valley of the Leith, and visit suburban gardens 
occasionally in winter, but are much less numerous than they were once. 
The wax-eye ( Zosterops lateralis), too, used to build in the bush on the Belt, 
and even in suburban gardens, and was decidedly more abundant than is 
the case now. The only native bird which has held its own is the riroiiro, 
or grey warbler (Pseudog erg gone igata), whose plaintive song is quite as 
often to be heard as formerly. 
The ground-lark ( Anthus novae-zealandiae) has practically ceased to 
be a denizen of the Town Belt ; and in the interior, though much less a 
common object of the country, it may still be seen running along in front 
of a horseman riding along a track through the open grassland. Its place 
on the Belt has to some extent been taken by the introduced skylark 
(.Alauda arvensis), but they are less numerous than the ground-lark once 
was. 
Other birds which were occasionally seen have disappeared, but, not 
being such familiar objects, have not impressed themselves on my memory 
to the same extent. I recall, however, a pretty little rail ( Hypotaenidia 
philippensis) which was taken in the bush at Littlebourne. Being a shy, 
secretive bird, it was probably only one of many living about the outskirts 
of the city. 
Bird-life in Central Otago was fairly abundant when I lived there, but 
I am unable to speak of the changes from personal observation, as since 
1869 I have only occasionally visited the district, and some of the birds, 
such as the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus), were seasonal visitants 
only. Some idea of the changes may, however, be realized by those 
familiar with the country now by my giving the purport of some notes 
received from Mr. Noel Buchanan, who lived at Pateroa Station, on 
the Maniototo Plain, in 1862. The Taieri then, he says, was a “ bright 
translucent stream,” and at every bend of the river (and they were 
numerous) “ there was a bank of clean small gravel, and on these flocks 
of waders and other birds disported themselves. Those which I remember 
clearly were dotterel, golden plover, pied stilts, and the pied redbill (or 
oyster-catcher), all running up and down on the beaches, and swarms of 
terns sitting around or whirling over the river, now and then dipping to 
catch something out of the water. In the swamps and lagoons back from 
the river were a good many pukeko, and along the river not infrequent 
bitterns ; on the open plains large flocks of paradise duck. On the 
lagoons and river-bends grey duck, shovellers, and teal were numerous. 
