Wed, 10 September

Paekakariki to Waikanae Subject: Homo sapiens, male, mid-passage Date: overcast, wind SSW 25kt Habitat: littoral zone, sand-asphalt interface Specimen observed at 0742h hunched over ceramic vessel, inhaling volatile compounds. Pupils dilated. Vocalisation: low, repetitive, directed at luminous rectangle. At 0903h, specimen encountered juvenile of same species. Behavioural shift: immediate. Posture opened. Gait slowed to 60% baseline. Free hand extended, grasped by smaller hand. Specimen's ring finger bore metal band — territorial marker or pair-bond indicator. Inconclusive. At 1140h, specimen sat motionless for 60 seconds in apparent trance state. Eyes closed. Respiration slowed to 4 cycles/min. No visible predator threat. Purpose unknown. At 1430h, specimen returned to luminous rectangle. Fingers moved rapidly across surface. No food obtained. No shelter constructed. Behaviour persisted until light failure. At 1837h, specimen observed standing at shoreline with three conspecifics of varying size. All four faced the same direction. None vocalised. Note: wind obscured most data. Recommend follow-up observation under clearer conditions, though the observer suspects conditions are never clearer than this.