110 Transactions. — Zooluyy. 



light grey, with seven rows of light dots; abdomen, fawn colour; 

 a yellowish green ring round the eyes. The crest on the nape and 

 back is small, the spines are small and round, the scales on the 

 skin fine and soft to the touch. Measurement of adult : 1 foot 

 5 inches, total length ; length of head, 25 ; width, 1 inch ; 

 front leg to the tip of toe, 3 inches ; hind leg the same. It may 

 be that this variety does not deserve to be ranked as a distinct 

 species from the common Tuatara, but at the same time I think 

 it a very well-marked local form, which has probably arisen 

 during long isolation on Hauturu Island. In many respects 

 this variety seems most distinct from the common Tuatara, the 

 crest both on the nape and the back are much finer, the separate 

 spines are round, not gently flattened as on the common species. 

 The form of the head is more of an oval shape, the scales, in- 

 cluding those at the sides of the body, are smaller, and softer to 

 the touch, the colour markings are decidedly different from the 

 common Tuatara. The difference in colour might be due to the 

 lighter character of the soil on which they live, as I have often 

 found with animals and birds. 



Here I have a series of specimens for observation, which 

 Professor Thomas, F.L.S., T. Cheeseman, F.L.S., and I, have 

 examined carefully. These gentlemen agree with me in the 

 general tenor of these remarks. 



Art. XXI.— Notes on the Habits of the Polecat, Ferret, Mongoose, 



Stoat, and Weasel. By A. Eeischek, F.L.S. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, 30th November, 1885.J 



Putorius putorius. — Polecat. 



This animal is common in Europe, except North Eussia and 

 Lapland, and is found in Siberia, Kamtschatka, and Tartary. 

 It frequents mountains, forests, plains, and settlements ; and 

 makes a comfortable nest of grass, moss, leaves, &c, in hollow 

 trees, or under the roots ; between rocks, thick scrub, or in 

 burrows, which they excavate if unable to find any already 

 available. In severe winters they come near settlements, where 

 they take up their abode in hay or straw stacks, stone walls, or 

 some unmolested places about farm-houses, where they make 

 great havoc amongst the poultry and eggs ; and in Austria a 

 reward is offered for their destruction. They destroy all the 

 small animals and birds which they are able to overpower, and 

 are even dangerous to children. 



At a place in Austria where they are numerous, on one 

 occasion when I was out hunting, I disturbed a hiding-place of 

 these animals amongst the rocks, from which four came out, 



