358 Transactions. — Zoology. 



tured the two old birds and one young one, all of which I have 

 preserved. The legs of the old birds were quite as red as 

 those of our Wood-pigeon. The most plentiful bird in these 

 woods is the little Rifleman. I have seen only one Saddle- 

 back, which I managed to secure. I am camped at an 

 altitude of 3,300ft., and have not as yet seen any Tuis or 

 Pigeons. I cannot say that I have actually seen any stoats 

 or weasels here, but they are known to be on the Dart Eiver 

 and on the Rolling River, about fourteen miles from here." 

 Once in the district there is no withstanding their spread, and 

 with it the absolute extinction of these vanishing species. 

 Nothing can save them. 



Apteryx haasti, Potts. (Haast's Kiwi.) 



Since my last paper on this subject I have had the oppor- 

 tunity of examining another egg of this rare species, taken 

 from a Kiwi's underground nest in the Heaphy Ranges. It is- 

 broadly elliptical in shape, measuring 4-75in. in length by 

 2-75in. in breadth, and is of a pale greenish-white hue. It 

 was obtained in the early part of December, 1894, and was 

 perfectly fresh. 



I am also in a position now to give the description of the 

 young : The whole plumage blackish-brown, paler and in- 

 clining to grey on the under-surface, and having a distinctly 

 spotted character. This is produced by each feather having a 

 single transverse band of pale chestnut-brown on its apical 

 portion, with the minutest tip of the same colour. These 

 spotted markings are entirely absent on the head and upper 

 part of the neck, which parts are uniform greyish-brown, paler 

 on the sides of the head. Tarsi and toes blackish-brown; 

 claws black. 



Apteryx occidentalis, Rothschild. (Larger Grey Kiwi.) 



I have also had an opportunity of examining two eggs of 

 the large Grey Kiwi, from the same locality, the male bird 

 having been taken from the nest sitting on the eggs. These 

 also are broadly ellipitical and pale greenish- white. The 

 larger of the two measures 4-6in. in length by 2-5in. in breadth. 

 The other egg is about one-sixteenth of an inch shorter, and 

 is much soiled by contact with the bird's feet. 



