buller was the author of "a history of the birds of new zealand" (1872–1873, 2nd ed. 1887–1888), with illustrations by john gerrard keulemans (and henrik grönvold?). in 1882 he produced the "manual of the birds of new zealand" as a cheaper popular alternative. in 1905, he published a two-volume "supplement to the history of the birds of new zealand", which brought the work up to date.