T. W. Kirk. — On Anthosoma smithii. 81 



account of its habit of closely following the plough for the pur- 

 pose of obtaining the grubs, &c, thus exposed. 



5. Nestor meridionalis, Gml. — Brown Parrot (Kaha). 



The author of the " History of the Birds of New Zealand " has 

 described several varieties of this bird ; one gorgeously-coloured 

 specimen he mistook for a distinct species, and differentiated it 

 under the title of A T . superbus. Further examination, however, 

 convinced him that it was only a variety of the Kaka, and he 

 accordingly sank the specific name. In 1884 I recorded the 

 capture of an almost identical specimen at Waikanae — and now 

 another, hardly to be distinguished, is to be seen on view in the 

 shop of Mr. Liardet, taxidermist. I am informed that this 

 latest addition to the long list of New Zealand birds presenting 

 abnormal colouring was shot in the Kaikoura Mountains. 



Art. IV. — On a curious Parasite (Anthosoma smithii, Leach) 

 from the Porbeagle Shark (Lamna cornubica). 



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



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



Plate VI. 



The genus Anthosoma was created by Leach for the recep- 

 tion of a most curious crustacean, specimens of which were found 

 adhering to the gill-covers of the Porbeagle Shark {Lamna 

 cornubica), that had been thrown ashore at Exmouth, in Devon- 

 shire. The species was named after Mr. T. Smith, the dis- 

 coverer, who sent it to the British Museum, and it has remained 

 the sole representative of the genus and family." I am not 

 aware of any record of the occurrence of this creature in Aus- 

 tralian waters. Some weeks ago, however, a fine Porbeagle 

 Shark was captured by fishermen belonging to this port, and 

 exhibited by them for some days ; it was then procured for the 

 Museum. During the operation of skinning, the taxidermist 

 noticed and procured the specimens now exhibited. 



Although differing in minor details from Leach's descrip- 

 tion and figure, I have little hesitation in referring it to his 

 species, especially as it was obtained from the same host. 



The description and figure were first published by Leach in the 

 " Encyclopaedia Britannica " of 1816. 



