346 Mr. J. H. Gurney on additional Species of Birds 



northern part of the island. There are not two kinds between 

 Lake Wanaka and the west coast. I have examined more than 

 twenty specimens, and all of them belonged to the same species. 

 They were about as large as a well-sized Fowl, therefore rather 

 larger than the Kiwi, which I likewise found during this trip. 



I do not know whether a specimen of this interesting bird has 

 ever been preserved in spirits and sent to Europe, to determine 

 whether the osteology agrees with that of other birds. Our 

 provincial government is organizing extensive scientific expe- 

 ditions for the thorough examination of the west coast ; and it 

 is to be hoped that we shall soon obtain live birds of this species 

 to examine and ascertain all those details about them which 

 want of time during my voyage prevented me from doing. 



XXVIII. — A Sixth additional List of Bh-ds from Natal. 

 By J. H. Gurney, M.P., F.Z.S. 

 (Plate IX.) 

 I HAVE the pleasure of communicating to the readers of the 'Ibis' 

 some further notes on the birds of Natal, which have been for- 

 warded to me by my friend Mr. Ayres, with an additional col- 

 lection of the birds of that colony. 



The remarks which I have appended to some of Mr. Ayres's 

 observations are distinguished by brackets and initials, as on 

 previous occasions. 



218. Gypaetus MERiDioNALis, Bp. Southcm Lammcrgcycr. 



Male. Immature. Iris very light greyish brown, surrounded 

 by a broad and bright ring of scarlet ; the eye very small for 

 the size of the bird ; bill pale, cere and base bluish ; tarsi and 

 feet ash-colour. The Lammergeyers are not at all plentiful here ; 

 they are very seldom seen on the coast, principally confining 

 themselves to precipitous country more inland. The only loca- 

 lity in which I have yet seen them has been amongst the rocky 

 hills of the Inanda location, or thereabouts, where they sail slowly 

 about in search of their food, generally singly, but occasionally 

 in pairs. 



Their flight so much resembles that of the larger Falcons that, 

 on shooting a specimen, I was much surprised and disappointed 

 to find so much of the Vulture about it. 



