NEW ZEALAND MAGAZINE.

Evening Star, Issue 4027, 22 January 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND MAGAZINE.

Third Noticr. Captain Hutton’s paper on Dr. Buller’s “History of the Birds of New Zealand” is the most readable aud magazine-like of any that appear in the first number of this publication. The only fault we have to find with it is that it is too brief. We feel sure that the writer could have extended his remarks to a very much greater length, with pleasure to himself aud profit to his readers ; and it is to be hoped that he will yet favor the public with a larger supply of the same pleasant and interesting matter. As he truly observes, “birds and insects are almost always the first objects of attraction to the young naturalist ”; and although we do not exactly share his apparent enthusiasm for the study of such insectlife, as the Colony offers the most favourable opportunities for becoming acquainted with, we are entirely of his opinion in the matter of birds. We once passed through a wild and desert region, so dismal, that no bird ever winged its flight through its solitude, and we remember most vividly how the absence of plnmaged life increased the gloom that enshrouded us. And in common with the majority or our fellow-colonists, we have many a time and oft wended our weary way over dreary and treeless plains and tnssocked mountain ranges, where naught save an occasional ground-lark, or a few grim hawks wairly watching for prey, were visible. And when we have reached wooded valleys, such as that of the Mangaone “ringing with delightful music,” how great has been the charm—the sense of absolute relief wherewith we have listened to the “wood notes wild” of the feathered choriesters.” If anything, Captain Hutton, though not altogether has been too amiably lenient towards Dr Bullcr. He has been To his virtues very kind, Aud to his laults a little blind. So far as our own judgment enables ns to form an opinion, the ambitious work of Dr Buller is of the nature of a failure ; and although the critic kindly strives to cast the mantle of charity over his manifold shortcomings, he is compelled to admit once and again that the “History of the Birds of New Zealand ” is very far from being a perfect work. Considering all the circumstances, and keeping in mind the very liberal treatment, and large amount of Government assistance, pecuniary and otherwise, received by Dr Buller, very much more and better work was expected from him, aud all his charming descriptions of sylvan scenery will not atone for his many deficiencies. It is too apparent, moreover, that he has assumed to himself credit for a vast amount of information furnished to him by others, aud his disingeuuousness in this and other matters will scarcely enhance bis reputation. The jay dressed in peacock’s feathers is never a handsome bird, nor one held in much esteem by its neighbors. And Dr Buller has with astonishing audacity clothed himself withtbe plumage of other naturalists of equal zeal and greater observation. Thus, he modestly assures his readers that “ the life histories are for the most part records of his own observations which statement, says Capt. Hutton, “is scarcely correct,” for Mr T. H. Potts has the lion’s share in this part of the work.” It pleases us largely to find the reviewer paying to the real bird-naturalist of New Zealand so weli-dcaervod a compliment as is contained in the following':— “There is no ono who has worked so hard, and done such good service for New 'Zealand ornithology as Mr Potts, aud those who I know him, know that his enthusiasm, his accuracy, aud his love of truth are pot ! to be surpassed. ” We commend Captain Hutton’s paper to the attention of all who take an interest in this rabjeeb, and trust it will prove to be the forerunner of many articled from many

ources on this pleasant and prolific topic. Very little is yet really known of the habits of the New Zealand birds. Cockney sportsmen rashly entrusted with the munitions of war, have, to a large extent, killed and driven our feathered friends away from the vicinity of Dunedin ; even the imported songsters of the old country have not been safe from their onslaughts ; and theun-sylvan character of the greater portion of the interior of the country affords no shelter for them, so that opportunities for the study of this branch of natural science are extremely few and limited. But every observant man can contribute something to the common stock of information, and should do so either directly or vicariously. • tie remark we now and here desire to make for Captain Hutton’s edification. He speaks of the “ scarcity of those kind of hawks that prey upon small birds.” If he is under the impression that any such scarcity exists we can assure him that he is greatly mistaken. In many parts they are exceedingly numerous, and mostly so in the open country, and the devastation of which they are the cause is much to he deplored. The native quail, for instance, which only a few years ago was so abundant, is now almost extinct, and although this is in some degree due to indiscriminate slaughter, it is in a yet greater measure attributable to the constant perquisitions of the hawk tribe. Some time ago the Acclimatisation Society gave premiums for the destruction of hawks, and the result was that their numbers were perceptibly thinned. We have had occasion to notice that since the discontinuance of the premiums they have begun to increase, and it is at least worthy of consideration whether steps should not again be taken to protect the small birds by destroying their notural enemies.

Upon one other matter we arc quite in unison with Captain Hutton. It is extremely desirable that a cheap edition of Dr Buffer's work should be published, omitting as suggested, the plates, which notwithstand ing their enormous cost to the Colony are for the most part unreliable and consequently of little value. We know of no book which would lie more popular and at the same time more instructive and suggestively valuable than a history of the birds of New Zealand, if published at a price which would enable every man to become the possessor of a copy. Looking at the matter from a public point of view it seems to ns that the Government might very fairly be asked to subsidise such an undertaking, or at least to guarantee its promoters from pecuniary loss.