114 Transactions. — Zoology. 



early in June. The pate (called " patete " by the Ngatika- 

 hungunu, and " kotete" by the Ngatiraukawa) is now in fruit, 

 the long spikes or drupes of berries hanging in conspicuous 

 clusters along the edge of the forest. This, too, is a favourite 

 food of the Wood-pigeon at this season. The houhou, which 

 has clusters of black berries, like the English elder-bush, con- 

 tributes likewise to the bountiful bill of fare ; so also does the 

 karamu (Coprosma lucida), and a much larger kind, called 

 raurekau by the natives, producing a brighter-red berry, and 

 now in full bearing. The Tui and the Kaka also regale them- 

 selves at this season on these sweet berries. 



The flight of the Wood-pigeon is rapid and direct at first, 

 then oblique and somewhat tumbling : that is to say, the bird 

 turns over first on one side, then on the other, in a very mea- 

 sured manner. The tail is partially spread during flight. 



Many beautiful varieties of this fine Wood-pigeon have been 

 recorded from time to time, but there is a specimen in the 

 Colonial Museum of which no description has yet been pub- 

 lished. In this bird the plumage of the head, neck, breast, 

 and mantle is largely varied with pure white, which pre- 

 dominates on the neck, the normal bronzy plumage shiuing 

 out in the midst of it, especially on the breast, with a very 

 pretty effect ; there are also a few scattered white feathers on 

 the wings and tail. This handsome bird was obtained at 

 Eketahuna, and presented to the Museum by Mr. E. E. 

 Greville. 



There are two beautiful specimens in the possession of Mr. 

 C. J. Eobinson, of the Upper Hutt. One of these, shot by 

 himself on a miro tree at the summit of the western range, 

 opposite Wallaceville, in June, 1892, has the head, neck, and 

 breast, and the upper surface generally dull yellowish-brown, 

 shaded with darker ; the primaries and tail-feathers clove- 

 brown, the latter darker ; the higher interscapular region or 

 shoulders and the small wing-coverts rich vinous-brown ; some 

 of the outer coverts pale-brown with vinous edgings ; the 

 whole of the under surface pure white. Bill and feet red. The 

 other bird was shot in the same spot about eight days later. 

 It is a lovely albino, the entire plumage being pure white, with 

 just the faintest tinge of cream, or, so to speak, another shade 

 of white on the breast ; and on the smaller wing-coverts there 

 is a pale wash of cream. The primaries and tail-feathers are 

 pale cream with pure-white shafts. Bill and feet red. 



A specimen which I lately received from Nelson has the 

 white of the underparts, especially along the junction with 

 the bronze plumage of the breast, washed with chrome-yellow, 

 and the under tail-coverts are entirely of that colour. It is 

 apparently an adult bird, and is marked "female" by the 

 collector. 



