Letters, Extracts , and Notes. 
385 
stunted white tussock and remain there until I was quite close 
to her. Judge of my surprise to find that her stoppage had 
been at a Ground Lark's ( Anthus novce-zealandia ) nest 
containing eggs. Three days later I was fishing on the 
same ground and the Dotterel again went through the same 
performance. This was the most cunning act that I have 
ever heard of in any of the feathered tribe." 
I may say that the observers in all three instances are 
well known to me personally and are thoroughly reliable 
men. 
I have done what I can to work out the parasitic problem, 
and have, I think, made some steps towards the elucidation 
of it. I have fairly well exhausted the subject of our Long¬ 
tailed Cuckoo, and am now engaged on a similar collective 
investigation on the Bronze Cuckoo. 
Hoping you may make some use of these notes on our 
interesting birds, which are fast disappearing from among us, 
I am, Sirs, yours &c., 
Robert Fulton, M.D. 
Dunedin, N.Z., 
October 29th, 1908. 
Sirs, —You have done me the honour of reviewing my 
* History of the International Convention of 1902 9 in your 
valuable periodical, for which I am very grateful. But I must 
regret that in all English reviews, and so in the present case 
in f The Ibis/ there occurs some misunderstanding. The Con¬ 
vention never meant to force upon anybody “ new methods," 
as rules §§ 1 and 9 admit of exceptions, in consequence 
of which every adhering State is allowed to draw up its lists 
{schedules) entirely in conformity with its own considerations . 
The chief object of the Convention is the protection of 
migrant birds, which, after they have left their homes, are 
exposed in the south (Italy) to the severest persecution and 
even extermination. 
This evil can only be remedied by international regulations. 
The English List of Birds comprises also a number of 
