ZOOLOGY. 
wild pigs are oil the eastern side of the central chain, so that in 
some places, as in the Wangapeka valley, for instance, they have 
uprooted large tracts of country. It is therefore surprising that, 
although they would find no difficulty in passing through the 
Devil’s Grip, not a single pig is to he found in the Buller, or in 
the meridional fissure, or indeed in any part of the Grey district. 
In former years the natives on the West Coast had some pigs, 
which they allowed to feed round their habitations ; hut, fearing 
that they would destroy the fern root, upon which they depended 
principally for food, they killed them all. In order to show how 
abundant these wild pigs are in some parts of the country, I may 
mention the fact, that a party of three men killed, in twenty 
months, and within an area of 250,000 acres, no less than 25,000, 
under a contract, and that they offered to take another contract 
to kill 15,000 more upon the same ground. In the open country 
near Mount Murchison, on the Buller, we met with numerous 
tracks of wild cattle, which probably came down in former years 
from the Boto-iti valley, through the Devil’s Grip. 
The only living objects, therefore, which give animation to these 
solitudes are birds. Amongst them we may assign the first place 
to the white crane (Herodias fiavirostris). This magnificent bird 
lives principally in the plains, where the rivers, flowing over 
shallow shingly beds, afford it sufficient opportunities of fishing. 
Sometimes it is observed sitting motionless on the top of a high 
tree, near the water’s edge, and it is really beautiful to see its 
graceful form and snow white plumage sharply defined against the 
deep blue sky. It is very difficult to approach it, as it is very 
shy, and takes to the wing at the least noise. The Botaurus 
melanotus, the bittern, and the grey crane (Herodias matuku), are 
also occasionally met with. 
In the plains, too, we find large numbers of Paradise duck 
(Casarca variegata), generally in pairs together, hut sometimes in 
large flocks, breaking the stillness of the scene by their shrill 
cries. The most abundant member of the family Anatida?, 
however, is the whio, the blue duck of the settlers (Anas 
malacorynchus). It is found in all the rivers, and is easily killed. 
It appears to prefer shady places and the deep pools formed in 
the goi'ges of the streams and rivers, but is also found in the 
plains. 
In the open districts, and on the outskirts of the forests, we 
also find two members _ of the Palconidse family. The largest of 
them, the Palco harpe, is a stupid bird, remaining quietly perched 
on a branch whilst the traveller approaches. It is not so bold 
and pugnacious as the smaller, Palco brunnea, which is frequently 
met with, and which, whilst rearing its young ones, fearlessly 
attacks any intruder who may happen to come near its nest. 
Jne day, walking along near the margin of the forest in Camp 
•/alley, my hat was suddenly knocked off my head, and at the 
