112 Transactions. — Zoology. 



withered top of some aged tree, always climbing to the highest 

 limbs, their progression being by a succession of short hops. 



Platycercus novse-zealandise, Sparrm. (Eed-fronted Parra- 

 keet.) 



At Tapuaeharuru, on the Taupo Lake, I saw a fine caged 

 example of this species in which the crown and sides of the 

 head had a wash of yellow over the green. 



Platycercus erythrotis, Wagler. 



From a specimen received by the " Hinemoa," on her 

 recent visit to Antipodes Island, I am able to give the 

 measurements of this species : Length, 17in. ; extent of 

 wings, 12in. ; wing from flexure, 5 - 75in. ; tail, Gin. ; bill, 

 along the ridge 0'9in., along the edge of lower mandible 05in. ; 

 tarsus, 09in. ; longer foretoe and claw, l-25in. It proved, on 

 dissection, to be a male. 



Count Salvadori is of opinion that this species should be 

 regarded as Platycercus liochstctteri (cf. Salvad., Cat. B. B.M., 

 xx., p. 577), Platycercus erythrotis being the representative 

 form on Macquarie Island. I have never seen the British 

 Museum example mentioned by Dr. Finsch in his " Die 

 Papageien," vol. ii., p. 275 ; but he treats it as a mere 

 synonym of Platycercus novce-zealandia. In any case there 

 seems to be much uncertainty about the origin of this speci- 

 men ; and Captain Fairchild informs me that he has been 

 unable to get any evidence as to the existence of a Parrakeet 

 on Macquarie Island. 



Platycercus unicolor, Vigors. (Antipodes Island Parrakeet.) 

 I take this opportunity of exhibiting an egg of this species 

 which was laid by a captive bird on board the " Hinemoa " on 

 her last voyage from the islands. As will be seen, it is per- 

 fectly white, with a smooth surface, and almost spherical in 

 shape, measuring lin. in length by 09in. in extreme width. 



Circus gouldi, Bonap. (Harrier.) 



Although the Bush-hawk has almost entirely disappeared 

 from all the settled districts, the Harrier maintains its ground, 

 and is extremely abundant on some of the sheep-runs. At 

 Papaitonga my son lately saw one with a perfectly white 

 head, but it was very shy, and he was unable to shoot it. 

 These hawks are in the habit of hunting along the shores of 

 the lake, and are a perpetual terror to the young ducks. They 

 are destructive also to the eggs of birds nesting in the sedge, 

 on one occasion no less than fifteen eggs being taken from a 

 goose's nest. They are bold enough, too, in their manner of 

 attack. One day I saw three or four large Sea- shags (Phala- 



