BuLLER. — On Neiv Zealand Ornithology . 353 



(which 1 at first thought was P. griseus) was sent to ine by 

 my correspondent, Mr. Metcalfe, and I forwarded it to Mr. 

 0. Salvin for his inspection. He returned it to me as Puf- 

 finus sphenurus of Gould. I have since received the eggs of 

 Puffimis griseus from New Zealand, and find that they are 

 much larger than those of P. sphenurus, and of a different 

 colour. My specimens of the egg of P. griseus measure 3in. 

 by 2in. and 3^in. by 2in. respectively, and are of a yellowish- 

 white colour, whereas the eggs of P. sphenurus measure 2fin. 

 by If in. and 2-|in. by l^\n. respectively, and are of a pure- 

 white colour, just like those of Puffinus anglorum and P. 

 kuhli." 



Puffinus gavia, Forst. (Forster's Shearwater.) 



We have at length discovered the breeding-place of this 

 species. I find that these birds resort in large numbers to 

 Stephen Island, in Cook Strait, for the purpose of reproduc- 

 tion ; and through the kind offices of Mr. Lyall, the light- 

 house-keeper there, I have recently obtained six eggs. They 

 are of a rather narrow ovoido-conical shape, perfectly white, 

 ■' and differing appeciably in size, the largest of the series 

 measuring 2-45in. in length by l-45in. in breadth, and the 

 smallest measuring 2-20in. bv l-45in. 



^G 



Majaqueus parkinsoni. 



A specimen in the flesh (adult female) sent to me from 

 Manawatu measured 18in. in length, and 4:7'25in. in extent 

 of wings. 



^o^ 



Casarca variegata, Gmelin. (Paradise-duck.) 



Those of you present who have visited the Masterton fish- 

 ponds cannot fail to have noticed a tame Paradise-duck, 

 which has been an inhabitant of the place for several years. 

 I have been assured by the curator that this bird is as useful 

 as any watch-dog could be, for it sets up an unceasing clamour 

 on the appearance of a stranger. Its affection for the keeper 

 is most remarkable, for it will follow him everywhere and 

 nestle about his feet in the most demonstrative manner, 

 squatting on the ground with its neck outstretched and utter- 

 ing all the time a sort of purring note of satisfaction. It has 

 now a mate, and they have brought up a large brood of young; 

 but previously to this it every season laid a number of un- 

 fertilised eggs, and then took to hatching-out a nest of do- 

 mestic duck's eggs. The handsomely-striking plumage of this 

 bird, coupled with its docility and readiness to breed in con- 

 finement, marks it out as being specially suitable for private 

 ponds and ornamental waters. 



A tame Duck of this species which I have at the Papai- 



23 



