from contact with the bird's feet during incubation. He found it in a hole formed by manuka-roots, and well concealed by the grass; but the dog scented it out and killed the bird on the nest. This was in September, 1888. Apteryx haasti, Potts. (The Large Spotted Kiwi.) Lovers of natural history will be glad to learn that this very rare species of Kiwi from the South Island—of which there is only a pair in the Canterbury Museum, placed there twenty years ago, and not another known specimen in any other public museum, either in the colonies or in Europe—has been successfully introduced into the North Island. Some months ago I received a fine pair from the South, and, after keeping them for some time in my Kiwi enclosure in order to study their habits, I liberated them on a wooded island, a little over an acre in extent, near my homestead at Papaitonga. I placed on the island at the same time a pair of the small Grey Kiwi (Apteryx oweni), and, a short time previously, a single North Island Kiwi (Apteryx bulleri), kindly presented to me by Mr. Drew, of Wanganui, for that purpose. The locality is admirably suited to such an experiment, the ground being similar to that which the Kiwi frequents in its natural state, and well covered with native vegetation. Being on an island surrounded by a fresh-water lake about 150 acres in extent and all within my private property, they are not likely to be molested in any way. But to prevent any chance of Maori depredations in the breeding-season I have also placed on the island three large live tuataras, kindly supplied to me by Captain Fairchild. The fame of these lizards, of which the Maoris have a most unaccountable dread, has spread far and wide. I have named them after three noted dragons of the past, Peketahi, Whangaimokopuna, and Horomatangi; and the Kiwis could not have three better guardians, for with this dread of the ngarara no Maori will ever willingly set foot on the island. The birds are apparently doing well, for their shrill calls—the male and female responsively—may be heard every night, the effect across the still waters of the lake being very pleasing. I had intended to add a pair of Kakapo (Stringops habroptilus) to this little island community, but, unfortunately, one of them died, and the other effected its escape before I could accomplish my object. I fear I shall not now have an opportunity of doing this till after my return from England. The Kiwis, however, may be looked upon as fairly established there; and it will be interesting to note whether, within their now circumscribed home, the three species will interbreed or not. An experiment of this kind could not be carried out under more favourable conditions, and I shall not fail to inform the Society hereafter as to the result.