92 Transactions. — Zoology. 



anterior margin of cere to extreme point of upper mandible, 

 4-5in. ; wing, 2in. ; tarsus, 3*5in. ; middle toe and claw, 3-5in. ; 

 hallux, lin. ; largest circumference of foot, 4in. The rudi- 

 mentary wings are furnished at the extremity with a long, 

 slightly-curved, greyish- black claw ; that on the right wing is 

 0-75in. in length ; that on the left wing is -^in. shorter and less 

 curved. "Weighed exactly 61b. 



Female. — Extreme length, following curvature of the back 

 33in., to end of outstretched legs 43in. ; bill, along the 

 ridge 7"75in., along the edge of lower mandible T'Toin. ; 

 wing, 2in. ; tarsus, 3"5in. ; middle toe and claw, 3-75in. ; hal- 

 lux, lin. ; greatest circumference of foot, 4-25in. The claw 

 or spur on the rudimentary wings is Vm. in length, more 

 curved than that of the male bird, sharply pointed, and of a 

 dark-grey colour. The bill is greyish-brown, shading into 

 black on the culmen, especially in its apical portion, the tip 

 being whitish horn-colour. Tarsi and toes dark bluish-grey ; 

 claw^s paler. Weighed 6|^lb. 



The plumage of these birds is very similar to that of 

 Apteryx australis. The male presents more chestnut in the 

 colouring, and the lanceolate markings on the upper surface 

 are more distinct than in the other sex. This richer appear- 

 ance is due to the feathers having chestnut tips, pointed with 

 black. The bill and feet are likewise darker, and more uniform 

 in colour, with lighter claws. 



In the male bird the tarsi towards their distal extremities 

 and the phalangeal joints are scutellate, but in the female 

 these parts are entirely covered by rounded scales. This goes 

 to confirm the view already advanced by me that this charac- 

 ter, to which so much importance has been given by some 

 naturalists, has really no specific value. 



PosTSCBiPT. — Since the above notes were written I have 

 received a letter from Lord Onslow (dated from the Bluff, 

 3rd February), stating that he had just returned from a visit 

 to the Sounds and Stewart Island in the "Hinemoa," and 

 had been successful enough to obtain another of these large 

 Kiwis, which he hoped to take to England with him alive. 

 Assuming the identification to be right, this gives us six 

 examples of Apteryx maxima during the last eighteen months ; 

 but, unfortunately, not one of our local museums possesses a 

 single specimen. 



