PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5210, 3 December 1877, Page 2

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

The Society met on Saturday evening, Mr. Carruthers, the Vice-President, occupied the chair. Mr. Riemenschneider’s election as a member was announced by the Secretary. Dr. Bcm.br read a further paper “ On the Ornithology of New Zealand.” Among the species treated of were the Kaka parrot, with an interesting account of the Maori mode of trapping it by means of decoy birds ; the two species of migratory cuckoo, with observations on their parasitic habits; the black fantail, the occurrence of which as far north as Auckland has been communicated by Mr. Cheesman; the knot (Tringa Canutus) which has lately been met with in this island; the sandpiper (Limnocinchis acuminatus), and many others. Among the latter was the New Zealand godnit, of which the author gave an interesting sketch. This bird spends a portion of the year in Siberia, and visits in the course of its annual migration the islands of the Indian Archipelago, Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand. In summer it frequents the south coast of the Sea of Ochotsk, and it has likewise been observed iu China, Japan, Java, Celebes, Timor, Norfolk Island, and the New Hebrides. They leave this country towards the end of March or beginning of April, and return to us towards the end of November. The manner in which they take their departure at the North Gape is very remarkable. Rising from the beach in a long line, and with much clamor,- they form into a broad semicircle, deployed forwards, and mounting into the air generally take a course due north. Sometimes they rise in a confused manner, and after circling about at a considerable height in the

to the beach to reform as it were their ranks, and then make a fresh start on their distant pilgrimage. The departure from any fixed locality usually begins ou amost the exact date year after year ; and for a week or ten days after the emigration has commenced, fresh parties are constantly ou the wing, the fl’ohfc generally taking place just after sunset. Tens of thousands take their departure at this time, iu flocks numbering from 700 to 1200 in each. Specimens of all the species mentioned in the paper were exhibited to the meeting ; and among these was a young example of the plundering gull (Stercorarius parasiticus), obtained in Wellington harbor in the early part of the present year. Dr. Hector said he had listened to the paper with very much interest, and particularly the portion relating to the habits and migrations of the godnit. He was glad that the author, not content with the laurels he had so well earned by the publication of his great work on “ The Birds of New Zealand,” continued to prosecute his researches and to lay the results before the society in so interesting a manner.

Dr. Newman, Mr. Kirk, and Mr. Young took part in the discussion that followed. ?v r ‘ ®° LLER l re P lied generally, and in answer to i)r. Hector s question said that absolutely nothing is known of the breeding habits of the godnit. It appears, however, to cross the uquator, and to breed iu high latitudes. The few that remain with us do not pair; and there is a significant Maori saying, “ Who has seen the nest of the kuaka ? ”