130 Occasional Notes. 



the feathers of the Cape Lory when examined spectroscopi- 

 cally " presents two absorption bands similar to those of 

 blood in form and position." This assertion I find to be more 

 or less correct, inasmuch as the absorption bands produced 

 in the spectrum of a solution of pigment from the primary 

 feathers are identical with those obtained in the spectrum of 

 oxyhannoglobin. 



A further test, however, puts an end to this similarity, 

 for whereas one drop of a 25 ^j^, solution of sulphuric acid 

 immediately destroys the bands obtained in the oxyhsemo- 

 globin, an amount of the same acid equal in bulk to that of 

 the solution of feather pigment has but a shght effect upon 

 the absorption bands in this case, merely causing the right 

 band to become less distinct. I have tried various reagents 

 for the extraction of the colour from the feathers as follows : — 



Reagent. Colour extracted. 



Caustic soda 1 % Good. 



Sulphuric acid cone Slight. 



V 25 7„ Nil. 



Glacial acetic acid ,, 



Hydrogen peroxide „ 



Ether (sulph.) „ 



Alcohol (absolute) „ 



Normal saline sol ,, 



Water „ 



From this it would appear that the colour is fairly '^ fast." 

 I can find no record of any other natural pigment which 

 gives a similar spectroscopic appearance to the one above 

 described. It would be interesting to know if this property 

 is confined to the colouring-matter of the feathers of this 

 species alone, or is more general. I hope (through the 

 courtesy of Mr. Haagnei-, who has kindly promised to procure 

 for me coloured feathers from other species) to be able to 

 continue this investigation. 



E. H. U. Dkapee, 



20. 3. 08. Assist. Bact. Govt. Lab. J bg. 



