The almost total absence of land mammalia forms one of the most remarkable features in the _fauna_ of New Zealand. Of this class New Zealand can boast of only two genera: the bat--_pekapeka_ of the natives, two species--and a small indigenous rat, the _kiore_, now almost extinct. The author met with one or two specimens of the latter animal at Ruakaka, in the King Country, but there, as in other parts of the island, it has been mostly exterminated by the Norwegian or grey rat. The _kararehe_, a native dog, the origin of which is uncertain, has entirely passed away. Its remains, however, have been found with those of the _moa_ in the limestone caves of the South Island. The natives claim to have brought the _kiore_ with them on their migration from Hawaiki, and it is likely that they may have imported the dog at the same time, as a reference to it is made in connection with their earliest traditions. Of the maritime mammalia both whales and seals were formerly very numerous on the coast of the islands. There are known to be eight kinds of whales, and three of seals. The total absence of serpents and tortoises is again another notable feature. BIRDS. By far the most attractive part of the New Zealand _fauna_ is the birds, which include some of the most beautiful species of the feathered tribe. Of these the following are among the most remarkable:-- Hihipopokero.--_Turdus albifrons._ A small brown bird with a white head. Hioi.--_Ptilocinctatis._ A ground-lark, very common on the plains of the interior of North Island. Huia.--Genus _Melliphagus._ A black bird, about the size of a jay; it has two little fleshy lappets under the beak: its tail feathers, tipped with white, are much prized by the Maories as ornaments for the hair. Hurukiwi.--A wild duck. Kahu.--_Falcon harpe._ A large hawk. Kaiaia.--A sparrow-hawk. Kaka.--_Nestor, meridionalis._ A largo greenish-brown parrot. The author found this bird to be very common in the forests of the Whanganui, where its harsh note was the first sound to break the morning stillness. This family of parrots is characterized by an aquiline or overlapping beak. Kakapo.--_Strigaps habroptilus._ A ground-parrot; colour, green and yellow; it does not fly, although it has wings, but hops from branch to branch; it is nocturnal in its habits. Kakariki.--_Platycerus Novæ Zealandiæ._ A pretty, green parrot. Karewarewa.--_Falco brunnea._ A quail-hawk. Katatai.--_Ralus assimilus._ A kind of rail. Kauau.--_Graculus carunculatus._ A shag or cormorant.