Being Hungry, Far From Home, And Without
Meat, We Ate The Interesting Creature, But Made A Note Of It For The
Benefit Of Science.
Since then it has found its way into more worthy
hands, and was, a few months ago, sent home to be named.
Altogether, I
am acquainted with about seventy species of birds belonging to the
Canterbury settlement, and I do not think that there are many more. Two
albatrosses came to my wool-shed about seven months ago, and a dead one
was found at Mount Peel not long since. I did not see the former
myself, but my cook, who was a sailor, watched them for some time, and
his word may be taken. I believe, however, that their coming so far
inland is a very rare occurrence here.
As for the quadrupeds of New Zealand, they are easily disposed of.
There are but two, a kind of rat, which is now banished by the Norway
rat, and an animal of either the otter or beaver species, which is known
rather by rumour than by actual certainty.
The fishes, too, will give us little trouble. There are only a sort of
minnow and an eel. This last grows to a great size, and is abundant
even in the clear, rapid, snow-fed rivers. In every creek one may catch
eels, and they are excellent eating, if they be cooked in such a manner
as to get rid of the oil.
Try them spitchcocked or stewed,
They're too oily when fried,
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