Reischek. — On Procellaria parkinsoni. 87 



as male. So far as I know, the plumage of the young, which 

 differs from that of the adult bird, has never been described : — 



I lauded on my last expedition on the 8th April, 1885, 

 returning in May, during which time I went to the centre of 

 the island, where I knew their favourite resort, to obtain some 

 specimens for the use of the New Zealand museums. I was 

 tiien successful in observing a pair feed their young, (two males 

 and one female,) which must have been a late brood. I also 

 shot some, shedding their first plumage, as per specimen shown, 

 the yellowish band round the chest beginning to show, also the 

 white ear feathers, and the throat, neck, and head changing 

 from grey to black. When very young, the male is of similar 

 plumage to the female, except the yellow shoulders. 



These very rare birds will soon disappear, even from these 

 lonely wilds, owing to the domestic wild cats, which are very 

 numerous, and commit great havoc among them, and also the 

 Sparrow-hawk (Hieracidea nova- zeal andice) and " Morepork," 

 (Athene nova-zealandice) in whose crops I have often found 

 their remains. 



Akt. XIII. — Notes on New Zealand Ornithology : Observations on 

 Procellaria parkinsoni (Grey), Brown Petrel (Taiko). 

 By A. Reischek, F.L.S. 

 [Read before the Auckland Institute, 21th July, 1885.] 



These birds are found round the coast of New Zealand ; I have 

 seen them over a hundred miles from land, cruising about in a 

 similar manner to, and in company with, the Albatross (Diomcdea 

 exulans), but they never go near enough to a vessel to be caught, 

 nor do they pick up tbe food thrown overboard, as the Albatross 

 does. This Petrel is gregarious, and I have seen them in large 

 flocks together, resting on the water. Their power of flight is 

 marvellous. In July, 1879, outside the Kaipara, on the west 

 coast of North New Zealand, I had an opportunity of observing 

 these birds, having to lay by outside the bar for several days, 

 being unable to enter, as it was blowing one of the severest gales 

 experienced in these seas ; they cruised about, dipping the puints 

 of tneir wings at intervals in the water, then suddenly swooping 

 down through the foaming waves for their prey ; rising with the 

 next wave, and repeating their former action. From July to 

 November these birds are always out at sea. In November they 

 come ashore to their breeding places, on the top of high and 



