the island, for as they increase and multiply prodigiously their
provisions must often fall short in so small a space. No one can
imagine how these birds originally came here, for the island is at
least two miles from the nearest point of land; they can neither
swim nor fly; and as every man's hand is against them, no one would
have thought it worth while to bring them over: but here they are,
in spite of all the apparent impossibilities attending their
arrival, more tame and impudent than ever. It was dangerous to
leave your bread unwatched for an instant, and indeed I saw one
gliding off with an empty sardine tin in its beak; I wonder how it
liked oil and little scales. They considered a cork a great prize,
and carried several off triumphantly.

After luncheon there was the usual interval of rest, and pipes on
the part of the gentlemen. I explored a little, but there is
nothing very pretty or abundant in the way of wild flowers in the
parts of New Zealand which I have seen. White violets and a ground
clematis are the only ones I have come across in any quantity. The
manuka, a sort of scrub, has a pretty blossom like a diminutive
Michaelmas daisy, white petals and a brown centre, with a very
aromatic odour; and this little flower is succeeded by a berry with
the same strong smell and taste of spice. The shepherds sometimes
make an infusion of these when they are very hard-up for tea; but it
must be like drinking a decoction of cloves.

About three o'clock we re-embarked, and sailed a little higher up
the lake beyond the point where we lose sight of it from Mr. H---'s
house, every moment opening out fresh and more beautiful glimpses.
Quite the opposite end of the shore is fringed with a thick deep
forest, and another station has been built there, at which, I am