T. W. Ki-RK.—On Gryllotalpa vulgaris. 233 



attracted thither by the insects that soar aloft during serene 

 weather." 



5, Phalacrocorax punctatus (Spotted Shag). 



I have already published a description by Mr. McLean of 

 the nesting of this species, as observed near Cape Kidnappers. 

 He has since forwarded me an egg, taken from the nest by 

 himself. It measures S/^in. in length, by l^V^- gi'eatest 

 diameter. 



Art. XXVI. — The Mole-cricket (Gryllotalpa vulgaris) in Neio 



Zealand. 



By T. W. Kirk, F.E.M.S. (of the Geological Survey De- 

 partment) . 



[Bead before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 25th July, 1888.] 



It is generally believed that New Zealand has no native mole- 

 cricket : this belief is probably correct — at any rate, its existence 

 has yet to be proved ; though it is stated, on the authority of 

 Mr. Churton and Major Parry, that one species (G-ryllotalpa 

 africana) has been found here. This species has, however, a 

 wide range, being found in South Africa, India, and Australia. 

 It is probable that the specimens referred to were introduced 

 from the last-mentioned country ; and Professor Hutton, who 

 compiled the "Catalogue of New Zealand Orthoptera " pub- 

 lished by the Colonial Museum and Geological Survey Depart- 

 ment in 1881, states that he has never seen New Zealand 

 specimens. 



I have on previous occasions had to bring under the 

 notice of the society the occurrence of Em'opean butterflies 

 and of the scaly lizard in this country, and pointed out that as 

 cultivation extended, and the importation of plants increased, 

 so the introduction and spread of noxious insects would in- 

 crease, and their depredations become more serious. 



The most recent addition of this kind is the English mole- 

 cricket. Some years ago a specimen was brought to me by a 

 son of the late Eev. Mr. Harvey, and I was assm'ed that it 

 had been captured in New Zealand. I, however, took little 

 notice of the matter at that time, and neither saw nor heard 

 anything of further specimens till a short time ago, when I 

 observed some children with the two specimens I now exhibit. 

 The youngsters stated that they had dug them out of a bank 

 on the Tinakori Eoad, near the Botanical Gardens. Both 

 specimens are immatui-e, but undoubtedly belong to the Euro- 

 pean species. 



