10. PROSTHEMADERA NOVE-ZEALANDIÆ, Gml.—Tui.

Frequent in the bush. Occasionally visiting the cultivated lands and the neighbourhood of the houses, when the blue gums are in flower.

13. ZOSTEROPS LATERALIS, Lath.-White-eye, Blight Bird.

One of our best friends, and abundant in all parts of the district. The history of the invasion of New Zealand by this bird is one of the most interesting chapters in our zoological record.

19. SPHENŒEACUS PUNCTATUS, Q. & G.-Fern Bird.

The peculiar chirp of this lively little bird is yet to be heard among the tall fern, though it is not so plentiful as in days gone by. It is probably diminishing in numbers before the march of civilization.

22. GERYGONE FLAVIVENTRIS, Gray.-Warbler.

In every garden and grove of trees.

26. PETROICA TOITOI, Less.-Pied Tit.

28. PETROICA LONGIPES, Less.-Wood Robin. 31. ANTHUS NOVE-ZEALANDIÆ, Gml.-Lark.

An egg was found this year quite pink; three other eggs in the same nest were perfectly normal.

34. RHIPIDURA FLABELLIFERA, Gml.—Pied Fantail.

35. RHIPIDURA FULIGINOSA, Sparrm.-Black Fantail.

I obtained a specimen of this bird in the Pohue Bush, about 20 miles north of Napier, July 7th. I have seen it occasionally nearer Napier. In 1876 I got two or three in the Horokiwi District, near Wellington. Several other instances are recorded in the volumes of the Transactions; and probably it will be found that, though much more plentiful in the South Island, it should be considered a species common to both islands. 43. PLATYCERCUS NOVE-ZEALANDIE, Sparrm.-Parrakeet. 47. NESTOR MERIDIONALIS, Gml.—Kaka.

This bird, like the tui, comes down to the gum-trees when they are in flower. In the bush parts of the district it is

common.

50. EUDYNAMIS TAITENSIS, Sparrm.-Long-tailed Cuckoo.

The long-tailed cuckoo pays us a yearly visit, and this season a solitary bird remained in the Petane Valley very much later than usual, as I saw it several times during the last week of March. Has any instance been recorded of its remaining in the country, or would this bird have to take its journey of 1,500 or 1,600 miles to the Society or Friendly Islands by itself?

51. CHRYSOCOCCYX LUCIDUS, Gml.--Shining Cuckoo.

Our bronze cuckoo is always welcome as the herald "of sunny days to be," and has yet another claim upon us as a practical destroyer of some of our insect pests. Mr. Gilberd, of Taradale, has informed me that for some seasons past he has noticed these birds feeding on the different scales and blights so much dreaded by all horticulturists; and he is convinced that they do a large amount of good. It is well that the services thus rendered by our summer guest should be published abroad, as it may restrain the murderous instincts of some of those who, if they see a pretty bird, must needs immediately try and

shoot it.

52. CARPOPHAGA NOVE-ZEALANDIE, Gml.-Pigeon.

54. APTERYX MANTELLI, Bart.

Two specimens were taken alive in the Pohue Bush in 1880, and I believe it is still to be found on the slopes of Maungaharuru.

59. CHARADRIUS OBSCURUS, Gml.-Red-breasted Plover.

60. CHARADRIUS BICINCTUS, Jard.-Dotterel.

Breeds on the river-beds. The eggs vary considerably in density of marking.

65. HEMATOPUS LONGIROSTRIS, Viell.-Red-bill.

66. HEMATOPUS UNICOLOR, Forst.-Black Red-bill.

Both of the Red-bills frequent the sandy shoals and banks near the Port Ahuriri bridge.

69. ARDEA SACRA, Gml.—Blue Heron.

Although this bird occurs plentifully both north and south of the bay, I have only seen one specimen, which was resting on the western spit.

71. ARDEA PECILOPTERA, Wagl.-Bittern.

This noble bird is remarkably numerous in the lagoons and swamps of the district. I have frequently seen during this month (April) as many as nine in sight at one time in the lagoon by the side of the Taupo Road, at Petane. Some years ago, when shooting at Tongoio, I put up sixteen in one day.

75. LIMOSA BAUERI, Naum.-Godwit.

79. HIMANTOPUS LEUCOCEPHALUS, Gould.-Pied Stilt.

80. HIMANTOPUS NOVE-ZEALANDIÆ, Gould.-Black Stilt.

Both of these occur very plentifully, and breed on the islands in the harbour and on the river-beds. The vigilance of these birds is extremely annoying when in pursuit of ducks, as their harsh note of warning is quickly appreciated by any ducks in the neighbourhood.

81. HIMANTOPUS ALBICOLLIS, Buller.-White-necked Stilt. Occurs not unfrequently.

85. OCYDROMUS EARLI, Gray.-Wood-hen.

Has increased very much in numbers within the last four or five years, and more especially near the swampy estuaries of the harbour. A nest taken November 10th contained four eggs, and the female bird caught on the nest contained another egg fully developed. The nest was simply a heap of dead grass under a rush bush, in a brackish water swamp.

90. RALLUS PHILIPPENSIS, Linn.-Striped Rail.

This elegant Rail is more plentiful in this district than I have seen it in any other part of New Zealand, excepting, perhaps, Okarito. The large rush-covered marshes near the mouth of the Petane River seem its chief stronghold. On the 14th March, this year, I caught, with the help of my dog, a female, and one out of a family of five chicks. The young were about halffledged, and were most curious little things. I exhibited to this Society last year the egg of this bird.

93. ORTYGOMETRA AFFINIS, Gray.-Water Crake.

A cat belonging to a neighbour has brought me in, during the years 1881-83, seventeen specimens of this Crake, and twelve specimens of the next species (0. tabuensis). Both of these birds abound in the raupo swamps of the district, but are extremely difficult to obtain, unless a friendly "mouser the matter in hand.

94. ORTYGOMETRA TABUENSIS, Gml.-Swamp Crake.

96. PORPHYRIO MELANOTUS, Temm.-Swamp Hen.

98. CASARCA VARIEGATA, Gml.-Paradise Duck.

Bred two years ago, in a swamp in the Petane Valley.

100. ANAS CHLOROTIS, Gray.-Brown Duck.

101. ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gml.-Grey Duck.

takes

Has been crossed with the domestic duck by a gentleman living in the district, as recorded in the Transactions.

102. RHYNCHASPIS VARIEGATA, Gould.—Shoveller, or Spoonbill.

This beautiful species is not at all uncommon about the district. Indeed, I think that in some seasons I have shot as many Spoonbills as Grey Ducks, probably owing to their being more easily approached.

103. HYMENOLÆMUS MALACORHYNCHUS, Gml.-Blue Duck. 104. FULIGULA NOVE-ZEALANDIÆ, Gml.-Black Teal.

108. PODICEPS RUFIPECTUS, Gray.-Dab-chick.

Several pairs of these pretty birds breed every year in the Tongoio Lagoon. In March last, I watched for some time a

family party, the two old birds and four young ones, preening their feathers in the sun, and keeping together in a most sociable

manner.

111. LARUS DOMINICANUS, Licht.-Black-backed Gull.

112. LARUS SCOPULINUS, Forst.-Mackerel Gull.

114. STERNA CASPIA, Pall.-Large Tern.

115. STERNA FRONTALIS, Gray.-Sea Swallow.

116. STERNA ANTARCTICA, Forst.-Common Tern.
117. STERNA NEREIS, Gould.-Little Tern.
Only after or during heavy weather.

119. DIOMEDEA EXULANS, L.

120. DIOMEDEA MELANOPHRYS, Boie.-Mollymawk.
One picked up on the Tongoio beach, March, 1884.
129. PUFFINUS BREVICAUDUS, Brandt.

130. PUFFINUS TRISTIS, Forst.—Mutton Bird.

188. PROCELLARIA FULIGINOSA, Kuhl.-Sooty Petrel.

143. PRION TURTUR, Sol.-Dove Petrel.

144. PRION VITTATUS, Gml.-Broad-billed Dove Petrel.

149. DYSPORUS SERRATOR, Banks.-Gannet.

150. PHALACROCORAX NOVE-HOLLANDIE, Gould.-Black Shag.

This bird is at present a proscribed individual, a reward of 18. 6d. being offered for every head.

156. PHALACROCORAX BREVIROSTRIS, Gould.-White-throated Shag. This small Shag breeds in trees by the side of the Petane River, some distance above the confluence of the Kaiwaka Stream.

159. PHALACROCORAX PUNCTATUS, Sparrm.-Spotted Shag.

Of the Spotted Shag, I have seen but two specimens in the harbour; one was shot at Kaierero in 1882.

169. EUDYPTES PACHYRHYNCHUS.- -Crested Penguin.

175. EUDYPTULA MINOR, (?) Forst.

I saw one swimming in the surf in January, 1884. Very scarce on this coast.

ART. XXV.-A remarkable Variety of the New Zealand Pigeon (Carpophaga novæ-zealandiæ), with References to previous Notices. By T. W. KIRK.

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 24th June, 1885.] HEAD, neck, and fore part of breast, which in ordinary specimens are shining gold-green, are here thickly strewn with white feathers. On the fore-neck, the coppery purple band is replaced by a large patch of pure white feathers. The nape, shoulder, and upper surface of wings are also thickly strewn with white feathers; back and uropygium have likewise many white patches, but getting fewer towards the latter portion. The bright green of the breast is succeeded by a band of pale grey, which fades as it approaches the abdomen. Quills and tailfeathers, normal colour. In no instance is a parti-coloured feather to be found, the white feathers being pure; even the shafts are destitute of colour.

Eyes, pink, not carmine-red, as is usual. Feet, paler than customary; the soles flesh colour, rather than yellow. Bill, normal colour.

This specimen was shot at Eketahuna, in the Seventy-mile Bush, Provincial District of Wellington, by Mr. R. R. Greville, and by him presented to the Museum.

References.-Buller, "Birds of N.Z.," p. 158; "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. viii., p. 196.

Kirk, T. W., "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xii., p. 248.

ART. XXVI.-Notice of an Instance of Abnormal Colouring in Platycercus auriceps, with Record of previous Notices of similar Variations. By T. W. Kirk.

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 24th June, 1885.] ON looking for previous notices of the occurrence of variations from the type of this species, they were found to be so scattered, that the thought struck me it might be of some help to students of ornithology if they were collected together into one paper. I have therefore prepared the description of the specimen now on the table, with a record of all previous notices that I could find; and trust that the list is tolerably complete,