T. W. Kirk. — Ornithological Notes. 29 



anterior part of the body, and are quite black ; and five longi- 

 tudinal black stripes are shown, which, however, seem to be 

 intended for the grooves between the elevated ridges. 



No detailed description of the crest is given — the figure 

 shows a single nuchal fin, the rays terminating in simple points 

 and regularly diminishing in length from before backwards. — 

 T.J.P. 



Dunedin, January 6th, 1888. 



Art. III. — Ornithological Notes. 

 By T. W. Kirk (of the Geological Survey Department). 

 [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 6th July, 1887.] 



1. Petrceca toitoi, Less. — Pied Tit (Miromiro). 



I was recently shown a most beautiful example of this 

 species, exhibiting pure albino plumage ; it is in the private 

 museum of Mr. S. H. Drew, of "Wanganui ; the only indication 

 of the normal colouring is a small patch on one of the primaries, 

 and that is only faint grey. 



As the unfortunate victim was killed with a full charge of 

 powder and an ounce of No. 4 shot, the internal anatomy was 

 so much knocked about that Mr. Drew was unable to ascertain 

 the sex. He has, however, by careful skinning and mounting- 

 succeeded in transforming the battered skin into a really good 

 museum specimen, a result of which, as an amateur taxidermist, 

 he may well be proud. This is, I believe, the first notice of 

 albinism in the Pied Tit. 



The specimen was procured at Paraekaretu, in the Kangi- 

 tikei District, by Mr. Tripe. 



2. Anthus NOv^-zEALANDiiE, Gml. — Ground Lark (Pihoihoi). 



Varieties inclining to albinism are known to occur occasion- 

 ally ; but while travelling through the bush on the east coast 

 of this provincial district, I came on a Maori plantation, and 

 was shown by one of the Natives a Ground Lark exhibiting a 

 tendency both to albinism and melanism. The following is a 

 description jotted down in my pocket-book : — Top of the head, 

 and down as far as a line through the centre of the eye, were a 

 dull black ; the whole of the body and wings, with the excep- 

 tion of the two outer primaries, a delicate creamy white ; the 

 outer primaries of the normal greyish-brown. The outside tail- 

 feathers, which in an ordinary specimen would be white, were 

 in this case jet black. 



