Controversial window into native birdlife

This is the cover of an important book featured in the South Canterbury Museum’s latest exhibition, on tour from Te Papa, our national museum. Buller’s Birds: The art of Keulemans and Buchanan showcases print reproductions of illustrations from the rare first edition of Walter Buller’s book, as well as of drawings and engravings relating to the later publications.

More than 140 years ago, two men created what remains New Zealand’s most famous book on native birds. A History of the Birds of New Zealand combined the passion and knowledge of ornithologist Walter Buller with the talents of artist J G Keulemans.

The first edition, of 1872–73, attracted subscriptions from luminaries like Charles Darwin, and a second edition was published in 1888. A cheaper 1882 alternative, the Manual of the Birds of New Zealand, included wood engravings by artist and botanist John Buchanan.

Even as a schoolboy, Walter Buller (1838–1906) was passionate about the natural world, particularly birds. He rapidly established a reputation in this realm – though he remained ‘‘a gentleman naturalist’’ rather than a professional scientist, law being his main career. Like many European New Zealanders of his time, Buller believed that the country’s native inhabitants – birds and people – would inevitably die out.

‘‘One of the most important functions of such a society as this,’’ he said, is ‘‘to collect and preserve for all time the fullest possible record of these expiring species.’’ To that end, he collected numerous bird specimens. Much later, he was criticised for contributing to the decline of some species – but in reality, introduced predators like stoats and possums caused far more harm.

Buller sold some of his specimens to the Colonial Museum, Te Papa’s first forerunner, in 1871. He was knighted 15 years later for his contributions to science.

Today, his specimens and detailed books provide a window onto a world that is no more. He remains a celebrated yet controversial figure.