310 Mr. J. Haast on the Ground-Parrot of New Zealand. 



1 subsequently requested Mr. Reeve, the able and intelligent 

 curator of the Norwich Museum, to examine the somewhat 

 extensive series of Golden Eagles in that collection, for the 

 purpose of ascertaining whether similar white scapular spots exist 

 in any of the specimens there deposited. Mr. Reeve informs 

 me that in one example only has he detected this peculiarity, 

 viz. in an immature male bird from southern Algeria. This 

 appears to prove that although my bird was so long in acquiring 

 the white scapular spots, they are sometimes assumed much 

 earlier, and confirms the statement in Messrs. Jaubert and 

 Barthelemy-Lapomraeraye's work, that, in some instances at least, 

 these distinctive marks are apparent in Aquila barthelemyi 

 immediately on quitting the nest. The Algerian specimen above 

 mentioned, and a German one which is alluded to by the authors 

 of * Les Richesses Ornithologiques,' are, so far as I know, the 

 only specimens of Aquila barthelemyi which are recorded as 

 having been obtained out of France. 



It seems, therefore, that the title of this singular race of 

 Eagles to be considered as specifically distinct ivova. Aquila chry- 

 saetos merits careful consideration and further observation from 

 those ornithologists who are interested in the study of the birds 

 of prey. 



XXVII. — Notes on the Ground-Parrot of New Zealand (Strigops 

 habroptilus). By Julius Haast, of Canterbury, N. Z.* 



Amongst the remarkable birds of New Zealand, the Strigops 

 habroptilus (called " Kakapo '' by the Maories, and " Ground- 

 Parrot" by the settlers) occupies a prominent place, not only on 

 account of its size, but likewise on account of its mode of life 

 and its manner of forming an habitation. Very little is known 

 about this inhabitant of our forests ; so that the communication 

 of some observations which I made during my last trip to the 

 west coast may be considered interesting. During several years 

 I have travelled in the interior of New Zealand, but not until 



* Translated from the ' Verhandlungen ' of the Zoological and Bo- 

 tanical Association of Vienna, of October lOth, 1863. 



