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Flowers

The Botanist would find but few flowers and none very handsome in New Zealand (excepting those on the trees) to place in his herbarium; none remarkable for either beauty or fragrance except Kaha Kaha, Wara Wara [Kowharawhara] and the Papapa (or the Parpuppa). The Kahakaha are fragrant and oderous; it varies in colors sometimes being dark and sometimes of a light pink and yellow.

The Wara Wara flower resembles the Rahakah a little, only larger, and the flower clustering close together round the stem, forming a round featherlike appearance, mostly yellow, with a fragrant and sweet smell, is much handsomer than the Kahakaha. The Papapa [Patotara?] is a little flower growing on a short stem, with sharp prickly leafs, has a fragrant smell but is not handsome; it bears a small red berry.

The wild Daizy is apparently a species of blue bell & [or?] violet [and] is a beautiful vine, clusters all around the tree in white stars with yellow pistil & looks very handsome; there is said to be a small wild geranium or several species of it, and some pretty little flowering shrubs, and the violet grows in the swamps.

The next interesting matter that came under my special observation is the animals and quadrupeds. Rats and mice 'that I have heretofore described' I am not positive whether they are natives of the country or not, nor could I understand correctly.

Lizzards both brown and black and green, but no reptiles yet discovered in the country, a variety of insects, such as spiders of various kinds, one small black sort which invests the branches of trees, its bite is venomous, Crickets, Cockroaches of a small kind, Flies, a great variety, some very handsome Caterpillars of many sorts and sizes, Snails, Slugs. Moschetos, Butterflies of many beautiful kinds, sizes and colorings, Moths of several kinds, one kind of Black Beetle worthy of particular notice on account of its troublesome nature, known by the appellation of Kekerere, by the natives. If molested throws off the most disgusting smell imaginable, but not a venomous insect. Silkworms are sometimes found. The Centipede is to page 112be found here but not venomous. Small Ants and various little insects. Lady Birds. The notable Weta about the size of a Cockroach when full grown, something larger resembling the cockroach in appearance but without wings, has long forked legs, bites severely if molested, leaving a troublesome wound. They are commonly found in old trees. These comprise all or mostly all of the insects yet discoverage has been made in New Zealand.

The next that comes under my cognizance is the birds of the country; the variety of this interesting creation of feather tribe is quite small. The Wild Pigeon of New Zealand reigns the undisputed king of beauty amongst this feathery tribe, this handsome bird known by the name of Ruckupa [Kereru, Hemiphaga novaseelandiae], is about twice the size of the American Wild Pigeon, its body is longer, its back and legs are red, its head down to the middle of the breast is a beautiful bronze, the belly down to the tail white, the wings a pale blue, and the tail the same color. This bird is easily shot and fine eating, and when in proper season large lumps of solid fat may be taken from the inside of the bird. A few years ago the pigeons were remarkably docile and might be shot anywhere; but muskets and powder have driven them back into the woods and are becoming more and more wild and less plentiful daily. In former years before the introduction of gun powder and muskets, the natives had several ways of taking them, with the bow and arrow, which appear to have been used, together with the spear, in the following order. Of a fine day the birds would gather together in numbers in the branches of some low tree, particularly the Miro, a net was then made and placed over it, and they were then easily secured. Another plan the New Zealanders mentions as having been mostly resorted to; when the pigeons sat or rather slept on the branches after feeding, the pronged string of stringeree was then tied on one end of the stick, and a long stick to the other. The stick was then darted at the bird, and the string entering held, and it was then captured without any noise, and a tree lined with them, it was said, might be thus taken, but of late the bird has become much to[o] wild excepting far inland to be taken in this way now, and in these days of improvement the natives find the method of the Gun by far the most expeditious, and least troublesome way of obtaining there game.

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The Tui is a well known bird, its color is a shining black, and a white collar of circle curling feathers rounds its neck and two tufts of white feathers hanging on its neck much like a priest or a clergymans band, with two white spots on each wing, it measures about seven or eight inches from the tip of the beak to the extreme end of the tail; this handsome bird has melodious notes and could be taught to speak or whistle as a 'parrott,' it has a wild note and said to be subject to fits when confined in a cage which not infrequently kills it. It is said to be not a long lived bird, seldom exceeds 14 years, and generally not over nine (so says the natives).

The Korimako or Bellbird is a light green colored bird, the first feathers of the wing are a darker shade nearly black when full grown; the cock bird has a slight bronze on the head and neck. It has the sweetest note of any bird in the woods.

The Toutouwai is a smaller slate colored bird, has a shrill whistling note, and is particularly fond of gazing (if I may so express it) at Strangers, and if encouraged by a whistle will follow the person for some distance. It is very tame and may be easily knocked down with a stick.

The Riovi [possibly Kiwi], this bird was never repletely described to me, but it is said to be a very remarkable one, and sometimes caught by the natives.

The Powaitere [kakariki?], native pronunciation, is a proquet [parrakeet] of a beautiful bright collared plumage with a little red under the wings, and on the top of the head, and the natives say it can be taught to speak.

The Kaka (from Karkau?) is a large Brown Parrot with a few colored feathers on the breast and red under the wings, but by no means a pretty bird; it talks and sings well, mostly feeds on berries; the natives are fond of them to eat.

The Katiu or common hawk is to[o] well known to need any description, New Zealand has its share, and is invested with them, and quite as troublesome as those in the United States, often entirely destroy the poultry, and not infrequently take off their large heavy fat geese.

The Kaiaia [Karearea] is the Sparrow-Hawk quite as troublesome and more important than the Common Hawk.

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The Puakuwaka [Piwakawaka] is the most striking contrast to the Common Hawk, being one of the smallest birds; it is a species of the waterwagtail (I know of no other name for this, as its body is about one inch long, and its tail three inches long, called on this acct waterwagtail.)

The Moa, a most powerful and tremendous large bird (called Moa from More) but very few of these birds have been seen of late years. In the South of this Island the natives describe it as a common fowl in appearance, and are wonderfully afraid of it. They dare not venture anywhere near them, but when discovered hurry away with great rapidity as fast as their canoes will carry them. This bird stands 12 to 14 feet high. They are now almost if not quite extinct, seemingly they have ceased to be, as not one of them has been seen for two years, with the exception of their bones and frames which have frequently been discovered. This bird in bygone days has struck dread and terror to the natives, doubtless it was a native bird and within a few years has ceased to live in New Zealand (It is said to be of the ostrich species from its height). Why height should argue in favor of its being of that species I know not; but I am convinced in my own mind from all descriptions of it, I consider it a very rare and wonderful bird, by no means an ostrich or a Specie. If it had not ceased to exist it must have been seen by Europeans who have been and are daily exploring New Zealand.

The natives relate a vague story that two white men saw this large Monster or Creature, when in the Southern Island, but that its frightful appearance alarmed them so much that they were almost struck dumb with fright, therefore could not give any definite account of this frightful and alarming creature. A Gent, connected with the mission at Pihea, Bay of Islands, NZ had some of the bones of one, and describes it as an enormous and giant-like.

The Malala (from Marlarla) is a small brown bird [fern-bird] investing reedy swamps, its tail is pretty of forked feathers.

The Matukutuku, or Crane, of this there are several kinds in New Zealand; the blue crane, or that which inhabits the seashore which is common to every one, and the gigantic is considerably larger than the blue crane, of a color resembling a turkey, mostly stand on the banks of rivers and in page 115fresh water swamps; it has a large paunch or bag on its brest, but the most remarkable fact connected with this strange bird is that it fixes its beak night and morning in the ground, a tremendous noise proceeds which it is said startles the unacquainted auditor, who imagines it to be some wild bull, who has strayed from his flock, as this singular noise is somewhat like it.11

The Kauau [Kawau] or common diver, the Raruhiruhi, the first name is generally used, the Black Shagg or diver and the latter to the smaller diver, with white brest; this bird has nothing remarkable excepting an enormous swallow, [comprises] all the wild duck species of New Zealand, Widgeon all of which is very good eating as delicate a morsel as the wild duck of America.

The Kotarhare [Kotare] is the famous King Fisher as invests the shores of America, its appetite may be more keen in New Zealand, as it eats fruit greedily, devouring grapes and spoiling the vintage. In this infant country he might be called a troublesome customer. The Kotarhare are in abundance and go in flocks, quite to[o] many for the interest of the vineyards; they are sometimes eaten by the natives who cook them by throwing them on a fire composed of mangrove wood, which grows in the swamps (near a swamp) and knock the birds down that flock thickly around the fire and become effected by the smoke.

The Roukou [Ruru] is the screech owl, abounding in New Zealand fem forests, and its cries are considered ominous at times by the natives or aborigines.