86 Transactions. — Zoology. 



hallux, 0-75in. ; largest circumference of foot, 3-75in. ; rudi- 

 mentary wing, from flexure to end of spur, l-4in. The spur 

 on each wing is a mere claw - 25in. in length, and white 

 with a greyish point. As already mentioned, the feet are 

 white, but there are small brown scales on the heel and hind 

 part of tarsus. The tarsus presents a regular line of angular 

 scutella in front, and the claws are perfectly white. In all 

 these points this species differs from Apteryx maxima. In 

 addition to the features already recorded, which distinguish 

 this bird from Apteryx bullcri, there is another which is worth 

 mentioning : the feathers of the under-parts have the peculiar 

 silvery or shining shafts characteristic of the moa-feathers 

 which Mr. Taylor White collected some years ago at Queens- 

 town. 



Apteryx oweni, Gould. (The Grey Kiwi.) 



I have received some specimens of this bird from Mr. J. 

 Brough, of Nelson, differing from those obtained further south 

 by the regular and distinct character of the barred and mottled 

 markings on the plumage of both upper and lower surfaces. 

 My correspondent says, " The birds sent are from the Upper 

 Buller. This species inhabits the dense bush, and seems to 

 prefer dark and gloomy gullies, where the sun scarcely ever 

 penetrates, and where the underscrub is almost always 

 dripping-w 7 et. In such places you will sometimes get a whole 

 colony.' The most I ever got in one batch was twenty-six 

 birds, at the head of a gully such as I have described. For 

 feeding they select mossy ground with few stones. Their 

 favourite places are where a young growth of birch-trees has 

 replaced the old forest. Individuals differ, however, very 

 much in their habits. You will see by the sharpness of their 

 claws that the ground roamed over by these birds is very soft. 

 They camp by day in holes of fallen trunks of trees, and come 

 out in the evening to feed." 



I had several of these birds in confinement, at the same 

 time as the other species, and was impressed with their 

 extreme gentleness of disposition as compared with Apteryx 

 maxima and Apteryx australis. They are even more docile 

 than Apteryx haasti, allowing themselves to be handled almost 

 without resistance, seldom striking with their feet, and only 

 expressing their alarm or annoyance by an audible snapping of 

 the mandibles. They require, too, to be handled gently, as 

 the feathers come out on the slightest rough usage. 



Mr. C. Bobinson, who has spent much time in the South 

 Island collecting Kiwis, brought me lately for examination an 

 egg of this species. It is broadly ovoido-elliptical, measuring 

 4'4in. in length by 3in. in breadth; milky-white, and with a 

 slightly-polished surface, which shows a little discoloration 



