ART. XVII.-Observations on Puffinus assimilis (Gould),
Totorore, their Habits and Habitats.

By A. REISCHEK, F.L.S.

[Read before the Auckland Institute, 21st September, 1885.]

As far as I know, this species has not been previously recorded from New Zealand, I therefore devoted extra attention to it, during my seasonal researches from 1880 until 1885, to find out if it is distinct from any of the local species. The first time I met with this Puffin was in December, 1880, on Morotiri Island, in a burrow, together with the Tuatara lizard (Sphenodon punctatum); the lizard I found generally in the first chamber from the entrance, and the bird in the second. I have seen

adult, young birds, and eggs, together with the Tuatara lizard, in a burrow.

On my return to Auckland, in 1881, T. Cheeseman, F.L.S., and I, examined these birds carefully, and found they were dissimilar to any of the Puffins already described in New Zealand, but agreed with the description and measurements of Puffinus assimilis (Gould) as given by Gould in his book, "Birds of Australia." He says, "the specimens I procured were caught on Norfolk Island, where it is said to breed, consequently the seas washing the eastern shores of Australia might be considered its native habitats; it is evidently the representative of Puffinus obscurus, of Europe. On my homeward voyage from Australia, I saw numerous examples, flying off to the north-eastern end of New Zealand, and this, I regret to say, is all the information I have to communicate respecting it."

As I had not sufficient knowledge and material then collected by my first observation, I determined to observe them carefully, and secure a series of specimens, which you see here, and which I have obtained in the past four years.

Fuffinus assimilis (Gould).-This little bird comes ashore in October to clean out its burrows, or make fresh ones, which process male and female accomplish together, with their bills. and feet. The entrance is from 4 inches in diameter, and from 3 to 4 feet to the chamber, sometimes in a winding direction. In most cases I have found two chambers, similar in size to those already described, in which there is a deepening, covered with a few leaves and grass, where the female lays, end of October or early in November, one white egg, 2.1 inches long, 1.3 wide. Both parents assist in hatching and rearing the young. Their habits, during the breeding season, are similar to those of the Procellarida family, previously fully described. The young birds are full-grown in February, when the Natives collect them for food, and they are delicious eating.

I saw these birds in considerable numbers during the breeding season, on the outlying islands off the East Coast, especially on the Morotiri group. The plumage of Puffinus assimilis (Gould), Totorore, adult, is: crown of the head, upper part, wing, and tail, sooty black; side of the face, throat, and under-surface, white; eyes, blueish black; tarsus, light flesh-colour, with a blueish tinge, yellowish at the webs. The measurement from tip of the bill to end of the tail is 11 inches; wings, from flexor, 7.5; tail, 2.75; tarsus, 1.38; middle toe, 1·75. From the foregoing it is obvious that this species differs in plumage and size from Puffinus gavius, also the egg. Seeing Puffinus gavius and P. assimilis in the distance on the ocean, they appear alike, but the flight of P. assimilis is more active. Another contrast between the two species is that while the down on the very young of P. assimilis is light grey, the throat, breast, abdomen, white, the down of P. garius is altogether grey, of a darker colour. The measurement of skeleton of adults compared, show: Puffinus assimilis (Gould), Totorore, from tip of bill to vent, 9.1; wing, the whole length, 6-85; leg, 6·5; head, 2.6. Puffinus gavius, from tip of bill to vent, 11.5; wing, 8.5; leg, to tip of toe, 7; head, 3.1. The Natives call P. assimilis "Totorore," and P. gavius, “Hakoakoa.” Having amassed the facts which I have given you, I placed them before Professor Thomas, F.L.S., and T. Cheeseman, F.L.S., and, after a careful examination of the specimens, they agreed with me that this is Puffinus assimilis (Gould), a new species to New Zealand, which I have the honour to add to the Ornithology of this country, raising the number to 177; I have also to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, who kindly lent me the illustrated part, fol. 7, Gould's "Birds of Australia," where there is a life-size coloured illustration of Puffinus assimilis, as you see here, with a series of specimens for examination.

ART. XVIII.-Observations on the Habits of New Zealand Birds, their Usefulness or Destructiveness to the Country. By A. REISCHEK, F.L.S.

[Read before the Auckland Institute, 19th October, 1885.]

HIERACIDEA NOVE-ZEALANDIÆ, Lath.-Quail Hawk (Kaiaia). Male and female of this species are similar in plumage, but the latter is larger in size. They prey on wild and domestic fowl, and are very destructive. I have often seen them swoop down on and kill wild pigeons, ducks, etc.

HIERACIDEA FEROX, Peal.-Sparrow Hawk (Karewarewa).

This hawk is similar in plumage to the former, but differs in habit, and is smaller in size, the female being the larger. It inhabits the mountains, where the forest is low and dense, and I found both species on the West Coast, South Island. In November, 1882, when encamped in the centre of Hauturu Island, I often heard the cry of young hawks, which I followed on one occasion, but a precipice prevented me getting near. I then climbed a tree, and soon saw at a short distance below me, in the crown of a bushy tree, a nest with three young birds; but, though I tried to descend at several places, I was unable to get any foothold, so, to my great disappointment, had to abandon the attempt to get any closer. The old birds flew about very excitedly, sometimes past my head, and I shot the female a few days afterwards in the act of darting at a kaka. This hawk is very bold, and commits much havoc. I saw them catch fowls within three yards from me; and Mr. Silver and the Natives told me that they lost as many as 100 fowls, ducks, and young turkeys in one season. They also prey on rats, mice, and lizards. It is gratifying that these two species of hawks are not common.

CIRCUS GOULDI, Bonap.-Swamp Hawk (Kahu).

This hawk is common everywhere, especially in the swamps and plains. It is very destructive, catching anything it can master, such as poultry, game, rats, etc., and I have been told that they even attack young lambs. They also feed on carrion and eggs, and have frequently robbed me of birds which I had shot and hid, but found on my return half devoured or removed. ATHENE ALBIFACIES, Grey.-Laughing Owl (Whekau).

Owls are more useful than destructive; but this species I never saw in the North, or outlying islands, and in the South it is extremely rare, and preys mostly on rats.

ATHENE NOVE-ZEALANDIE, Gml.-Morepork (Ruru).

This little owl is common everywhere. In the forests it prefers deep, dark gullies, hiding during the day in hollow trees, or between the thick foliage, and in caves; but in the evening, when it comes out to seek its food, its melancholy call, "morepork," or "ruru," is heard. We can forgive it for catching a bird now and then, on account of the great number of rats, mice, and insects it destroys. On returning to the house of Mr. Wilson, Northern Wairoa, one bright moonlight night in 1879, I saw a Morepork swooping down; then heard a squeak; when suddenly it flew upwards, and let something drop, repeating this action several times, ultimately remaining on the ground for a time, and then flying away. On examining the spot, I found the skin, head, legs, and tail of a rat. In April,

1880, I shot a very pretty and rare variety of this owl, near Castle Hill, Coromandel, which is now in the valuable collection of New Zealand birds of J. C. Firth, Esq., Auckland. On dissecting a series of these birds, I always found numerous remains of rats and insects in their crops.

STRINGOPS (Kakapo).

These birds are not destructive, as they feed on berries, moss, and Alpine vegetation. They have disappeared from the North Island and the northern portion of the South Island, and at present only inhabit a chain of mountains on the West Coast. PSITTACIDE.-Parrots.

The four species in New Zealand are only destructive when they are too numerous. During the fire in Oxford Forest, large flocks of Platycercus nova-zealandia, Red-fronted Parrakeet (Kakariki), then Flaty. auriceps (Yellow-fronted Parrakeet), came to Christchurch, destroying the fruit of orchards. They were so numerous, I could shoot them from the Museum, where several pairs bred under the roof. On the northern portion of the North Island these birds are getting very rare, except on the outlying islets.

PLATYCERCUS ALPINUS.-Alpine Parrakeet.

This pretty little Parrakeet I never found near a habitation, only on the mountains near the Alps, in low thick scrub; it is a rare bird. Its food consists of berries and seed.

NESTOR (Kaka).

There are three species in New Zealand; two of them are more useful than destructive, as they destroy numerous insects and their larvæ, which they dig out of the ground or rotten wood with their strong bills; they also feed on berries and various seeds; but Nestor notabilis (Kea), which fed in former times on the same food as the previous one, has become now a bird of prey, and very destructive on sheep-stations. In the Province of Otago, the station-holders give a reward for the destruction of these birds. In 1878, a gentleman sent me a few Keas, just shot, to Christchurch, remarking, in his letter, they had destroyed several of his sheep. When I examined their crops, I found that they contained wool and fat. A Kea, which I had in confinement, preferred carnivorous to vegetable food. On several occasions I saw Keas sailing above sheep, and shot them on the carcase, from which I found they had extracted pieces of flesh. My opinion is that these birds became carnivorous through being numerous when sheep were introduced, and feeding on maggots, which soon appear on carcases of sheep dying on the runs, and have thus probably acquired such a liking for the fatty matter that it has emboldened them to attack live sheep, which they pick on the back near the kidneys, and thus destroy.

This species is more active than the former two. The flight and cry of the Kea is similar to that of the European Stone Eagle (Aquila fulva). I saw them often at a great height, sailing about, and then swooping down to the ground, where their movements are very clumsy. These birds prefer the higher regions near the glaciers, but in the winter, during the severe snow storms, they come lower down.

ARDEA.-Heron (Matuku).

There are seven species in New Zealand, five of which feed mostly on fish. But Ardea paciloptila (Common Bittern) is very useful in destroying numerous vermin. Dissecting a series, I have found in their crops remains of rats; even as many as five in one bird.

OCYDROMUS.-Wood-hen (Weka).

There are four species in New Zealand, which are destructive to young domestic and wild birds, and their eggs; but they are useful in destroying vermin, as I have seen them often digging in the ground and rotten wood for insects. They also destroy rats, of which I have found the remains in their crops. Near Lake Brunner, a prospector had a rat and Maori hen as pets, which would come every evening at tea-time to get their share, and each one came when called by its name. Sometimes these two quarrelled over food, and at last the Maori hen gave the rat such a peck on the head that he tumbled over dead. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS, Temm.-Swamp-hen (Pokako).

These birds are destructive to agriculturists, when too nume

rous.

As soon as the grain makes its appearance, they pull up the young shoots and eat them; consequently the farmers in Canterbury gave a reward for their destruction.

STERNA. Sea Swallows (Tara).

Five species in New Zealand, which are destructive to small fish; but Sterna antarctica (Common Tern) I found as far as forty miles inland, following the plough, picking up the vermin, or sitting on the fences watching for them. The two species of Podiceps, found on the fresh-water lakes, feed mostly on small fish and various insects; they are not destructive, or do little harm, if not too numerous, as the lakes will not become overstocked where fish are introduced.

DYSPORUS SERRATOR.-Gannet (Takapu).

These birds are very destructive to fish, which they devour in great numbers. It is amusing to watch a colony fishing near their breeding resorts, constantly swooping down and risingthey swoop with such force at their prey that the water splashes up several feet. I have often seen them catch so large a fish that they were unable to rise, and had to let it go.