THE MOA IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9023, 31 October 1892, Page 3

THE MOA IN NEW ZEALAND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Some two years ago a scientific gentleman down South proved to his own satisfaction that the moa had been extinct for about two thousand years. Now I see Mr. H. C. Field, of Wanganui, has lately written to the Christchurch press very confidently as to the recent extinction of the bird. He doubts whether they are extinct even yet, and I am inclined to agree with him ; unci, as I consider it a duty of anyone who can throw a light on this most interesting matter to do so, I forward you an extract which will prove, at all events, that this gigantic bird was not extinct some fifty years ago, and therefore it is quite possible that Mr. Field may be correct, and a few specimens of the Moa may still exist in the remote unexplored bush. I will now state under what circumstances the particulars I send you came into my possession. In the seventies I was practising as a solicitor in the city of London. Among my clients was a Mr. Robert Clark. The matters in which he required my services necessitated frequent interviews between u?, both at my offices and at his house, and these interviews led to a most sincere ana cordial friendship springing up between us, and which was only severed upon my leaving England with my family to come out here. When I first mentioned to my friend my intention to emigrate to New Zealand he said, " Why, I was there over forty years ago (this was about 1876)» and can tell you

something about that country," and he added, "I believe I am the only white man living who has seen a live moa.". I need scarcely add how 'nterested and astonished I was, and I ijked him to write me his experiences m New Zealand (he passed several years here). At first he was - not inclined to take the trouble; but, however, when he found the time draw near when we must bid each : farewell, probably for ever, his "j old heart got the better of him, and he promised me a full account of his rather remarkable life as a parting gift, writing as minute an account as ne was able or the Moa, and at nearly our.last interview he handed me a bundle of manuscript neatly written, and I now extract the following from rfc regardin.? that most interesting subject the Moa: Lhe weather continuing, stormy, to pass time away [until storm abated and they could get off in their boats], my mate proposed we should travel inland, taking our muskets and seeing if we could pick up a few wild birds. We had been out for some time, but nothing whatever showed itself,. whilst scrambling amongst bushes and underwood on rather high ground and looking down to a green patch of about 100 feet long by 40 feet broad—this patch could not/ have been better kept in order by an experienced gardener—stood an immense black bird of.a beautiful form, long legs, Ion" neck with a rather small head for so large a bird, Eiercing. eyes (rather large ones) a small! eak, having from each side a red comb with a very small crest of a comb on tne centre of tne head ; altogether I should say in height 12 feet. Being only about 100 feet from him and looking down, as he was below us therefore foreshortened, he stood still looking at us, as if surprised. My mate said, 4We must have a slap at him, and we will fire together. Are you ready?' 'Yes.' 'Then let fly!' The bird received his dose, took to his heels towards the end of his pleasure-grounds— grass plot dived down and entered an opened clearance in a thick mass of bushes, no doubt his place of roost. We did all we could to get near him, but the scrub, bushes, and other impediments, hindered us so that we had to give it up." From what Mr. Clark says further on, the natives regarded the bird as very uncommon. In conclusion I may say I feel sure we are far from knowing all the wonders of this magnificent country yet, and there is a splendid opening for the bold explorer, as I believe other animals exist that are at present unknown to us.—l am, etc., Mount Roskill. Fred A. G. Cotterell. j