383 Recenthj published Ornithological JVorks. 



New Zealand Institute ' there are five papers that claim our 

 attention. Two of these relate to the much-vexed question 

 of the carnivorous habits of the Kea (Nestor notabilis). 

 One of them is by Dr. Benham, the Professor of Biology in 

 the University of Otago *, the other by Mr. Marriner f. Any- 

 one who is interested in this subject and Avill read these 

 articles, both of which have been carefully prepared and are 

 based on the evidence of fully trustworthy witnesses, will be 

 convinced, we think, that the case has been fully proven 

 against the K^a, and that this Parrot in certain localities in 

 tlie Southern Island of New Zealand is frequently guilty of 

 sheep-murder. There can be no doubt, as Prof. Benhaiu 

 says, that this is an excellent illustration of the fact that 

 *' variation in habit, as well as in structure, occurs in 

 nature." 



Two other articles in the volume now before us are by 

 Mr. J. Drummond [op. cit. pp. 227, 563), and relate to the 

 birds introduced of late years into New Zealand, some of 

 which bid fair in process of time to supersede the native 

 species. On this, an also much-debated question, there is 

 not so much unanimity of opinion. Mr. Drummond, who 

 discussed the subject at some length, admits that the 

 evidence which he has collected from a large number of 

 observers by a series of 28 questions is confusing, but in 

 some cases, such as that of the Sparrow, the *' mass of 

 evidence is entirely against the bird.^' The Skylark, we are 

 surprised to find, is also much objected to by some of the 

 witnesses, and so is the Greenfinch, while the Starling is 

 almost universally approved. No less than 23 species, 

 mostly well-known " British Birds,'" appear to have been 

 '^ naturalized and established" in New Zealand. 



The fifth ornithological paper records an instance of the 

 occurrence in New Zealand of the Australian Spoonbill 

 {Platalea 7'eyia), which, however, can be regarded only as au 

 occasional straggler. 



* " Notes on the Flesh-eating Propensity of the K^a," op. cit. p. 71. 

 t " Notes on the Natural History of the K^a, with Special Reference to 

 its reputed Sheep-killing Propensities," op. cit. p. 271. 



