ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 4

ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND.

T—NEW, REVISED EDITION. ‘The Animals of New Zealand,” by the late Captain Hutton and Mr James Drummond, was first published in 1904, ; when it waa described os a third edition of the “Descriptive Catalogue of the Birds of New Zealand” much enlarged with an account of the dominion’s mammals and reptiles as well as its birds, which, bv F. W. Hutton, was issued in 1871. A second edition, with illustrations edited by Sir Walter Bullet', was issued in 1888. Tie first edition of “The Animals of New Zealand” met with instantaneous success and a second edition waa called for in 1906. Captain Hutton died at the end of that year, and it has been left for Mr Drummond to edit and prepare the later editions. In the fourth edition, just published. Mr Drummond has made a number of alterations and several additions. He says for instance: —■ Archdeacon Williams, of Gisborne, has kindly revised the list of Maori names of birds, and, on his advice, I have changed a large number, giving some names that, are more generally accepted tlian those previously assigned to birds in this book. Unfortunately I could not find space for Archdeacon Williams’s complete list of Maori names. He has published an excellent paper on the subject in “The Journal of the Polynesian •Society” for December, 1905. No. 4 Volume XV. It supplies all the names the Maoris are known to have applied to native birds. In one case, the bell bird (Anthornis melanura), he gives no fewer than twenty-six names. As a result of careful inquiries Mr Drummond reaches the gratifying conclusion that save for the Stephen's Island wren and the native quail ‘‘there is no convincing evidence that any New Zealand bird has been exterminated by the European inhabitants of this country. Although we may regret the needless destruction that has taken place, we may find some satisfaction in the knowledge that the position is not nearly so bad as we thought it was. Our birds may still Ira seen wherever the ancient forests stand. As long as largo tracts of forests are left as sanctuaries and scenic reserves, we need not have much fear that our avifauna will be completely lost.” Mr Drummond mentions that “Polorus Jack” was originally classified aa a goosebeak whale, but as he waa protected by the Legislature as a Bisso’s dolphin, ho has been taken out of the former species. Mr Drummond adds: ‘The last report of ‘Pelorus Jack’ was in November, 1916. Ho nad not been seen from that date up to the present time.” In his preface to this fourth edition Mr Drummond pays a graceful tribute to the memory of his former collaborate^ - . Captain Hutton. The additions to this valuable volume comprise the Stephen Island Frog, a new species discovered by Mr H. Hamilton, of the Dominion Museum, in 1918._ The species is rare and its life history is unknown. An account is also given of the Maori dog and of the Maori rat, both of which wero evidently brought by the Maoris to New Zealand in their canoes. While tho Maori dog is extinct beyond all possibility of doubt, there is no reason to suppose that the Maori_ rat is eriinot although it is several years since a specimen was reported. The appendices include a list with notes of the introduced birds “which have had an influence in the dominion, sentimentally or otherwise, and which have become established.” There is also a “Name List of New Zealand Birds” supplied by Mir W. B. B. Oliver, of the Dominion Museum. The volume, which is profusely illustrated, reflects tho greatest credit on both author and publisher. The new edition is an essential to every public library and no one interested in the fauna of the dominion can afford to be without it. It is wonderful value at the moderate published price. * “ The Animals of New Zealand; An Account of the Dominion’s Air-breathing Vertebrates. ” By Captain F. W. Hntton, P. 8.5., and .Tames Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S, Fourth ISdition; Revised and Enlarged. Dunedin: Whitcombe and Tombs, (loa.)