out-houses, picking off the spiders and insects secreted there; when bags or sheepskins are found lying on the ground, they drag away or turn them over, to procure the worms, beetles, or woodlice hidden beneath. Occasionally, during their nocturnal rambles, they discover the carcase of a sheep; they commence pulling off the wool until they effect an opening in the flesh; here they fare sumptuously for weeks, often secreting themselves in the nearest cover, and returning night after night to feed on the carcase, or the maggots, which in their turn devour it. They are also expert destroyers of rats and mice, and assist materially in destroying the numbers of young rabbits in infected districts.

The omnivorous habits of the Weka favour it more than any other native species to withstand the change produced by cultivation. It would survive when all other known species of Rail would soon become extinct. It is equally at home among cultivated gardens and fields, as well as in its native tussock, swamp, or bush.

The call is an excellent barometer; but the call which indicates rain is readily distinguishable from its ordinary answering call—it is more incessant, and repeated at shorter intervals. The ordinary call, or cry, is invariably led off by the female, and is answered in all directions by both sexes. This, however, is only peculiar to paired birds before or after meeting, as the male or female is often heard, solitary, answering others in the distance, while its mate is on the nest. The preparation of the ground, gathering of the tussock grass, and building of the nest is performed by both birds alike. They are fastidious in their choice of a site, going over the same spot many times before it is selected. The nest is placed under a tussock (Poa) or niggerhead (Carex virgata); it is found in clumps of Discaria toumatou and Pteris aquilina, and I have seen it twice placed under a bare rock, but the gorse hedge is preferred, as affording better protection from the attacks of dogs. One I observed last year, made by a half-tame pair, was completed in two days. The grass is placed in a loose heap on the spot selected; the nest is shaped by the bird squatting on the material, and turning round until a hollow is made; it then draws the grass around its body with the under surface of the lower mandible until it is completed. After the completion of the nest alluded to, one day elapsed before laying; one egg was then laid each successive morning; when it contained four, they began to hatch, the female generally remaining a little longer on the eggs than the male. At this season they have a muttering or suppressed call; if the sound is carefully imitated, it is an easy matter to find a weka's nest, provided it is approached cautiously, or unperceived by the birds. When a nest is found, the finder may rest assured there is not another near for a considerable

distance. The young make their appearance on the twentieth day, and remain in the nest three or four days before the mother ventures out with them; the chicks are shy and wary, and hide on the slightest alarm given by the parent birds. The male is untiring in its efforts to procure food, and often rambles far from the brood; when a suitable morsel is found it runs hurriedly back to them. The morsel, whatever it may be, is usually seized by the female while in its mate's bill. Often enough food for days is strewn around the brood, so persistent is the male in its efforts to procure food. Both parents are furious in defence of their young; if a chick is caught, and caused to make a distressing cry, both birds rush around with open beak, and utter a barking discordant noise. I have often seized both birds with my hands by this means.

The young attain maturity in the fifth and sixth month; they are deserted by the parent birds about the fourth month, the latter generally laying again and rearing a second brood; if the nest is robbed, or the young removed from them, they will lay three and four times. Eggs and young can be obtained in this district (Oamaru) all the year round. The Weka's age can be determined by the colour of the eye, the legs, or plumage. The bright scarlet iris is acquired the second year; the silvery plumage of males, or the bright red legs of females, is an unmistakable sign of good age in both. Once paired, they will remain permanently so.

When enclosed in small yards they become tamer than domestic fowls, thrusting their heads through the meshes of the wire and feeding from the hand. For two seasons I have confined female wekas with domestic game-cocks, for the purpose, if possible, of procuring hybrids between the two species, to endeavour to settle the question of alleged crossing, but thus far without success; although they lay freely, the eggs have been unfruitful. If the eggs are removed immediately after laying, they lay four and five times during the year, producing fifteen or twenty eggs.^* The wing-spurs appear to have been acquired for defensive purposes alone, as I am unable to detect any other purpose they serve in the bird's economy. The females do not use the spurs much, one or other generally running away, hotly pursued by its assailant. The chase is often kept up till both are exhausted. The males are more pugnacious, and do not run so readily. When fighting, and facing each other, the wings are elevated or arched over the back, the neck is drawn in under cover of the wings, while the spurs are