192 Transact ious. — Zoolofjy. 



Ar.T. XXI. — Description of a Bemarhahh Variation in the 

 Colour of Platyeercus auriceps. 



By E. I. KlNGSLEY. 



Read before the Xelson Philosophical Socictij, 11th November, 1890.] 



This beautiful bird, exhibited by Mr. W. Martiu, ^vas shot 

 near the reservoiv in Brook Street, Nelson, during the month 

 of September. 



In general appearance it somewhat resembles the splendid 

 specimen now in the Colonial Museum, ^Ye^ington, referred 

 to in Sir Walter Buller's work on the birds of New Zealaml 

 (p. ]43), as shot in Eve's Valley, Waimea, by Mr. Fabian. 

 But it differs in the following respect : There is very little, if 

 any, indication of the normal colouring — i.e., green — on the 

 quill- and tail-feathers. 



The following is a description of the present specimen : — 



General plumage beautiful vivid canary-yellow ; narrow 

 Ijaud of crimson across forehead ; on each side of rump the 

 uropygial spot of ricli crimson. Quills very pale yellowish- 

 wliite, slightly mottled with brownish-grey ; secondaries yel- 

 lowish-white ; larger wing-coverts very dark brown, with 

 slightly-bluish green reflection ; lesser wing-coverts rich 

 canary-yellow, shghtly shaded with grey at the tips. Tail- 

 feathers canary-yellow, the quills being white. Bill bluish- 

 white; legs and feet flesh- white. 



Length, 10-4in. ; tail, 4-3in. ; culmen., 0-6in. 



Wing-flexure, 6-liu. 



Akt. XXII. — On the Occurrence of Danais plexippus caid 

 Sphinx convolvuli (?) in Nelson. 



By E. I. KiXGSLEY. 

 Read before the Nelson Philosophical Society, 11th November, 1890.] 



On October 2Gth I received from a resident near Bishopdale, 

 Nelson, a fine specimen of Danais lAexippus. It was unknown 

 to me at the time by name, although I had in my possession 

 a damaged specimen of one taken about the year 1879. In 

 the course of the following week I heard of some six or. seven 

 others being captured in the vicinity of the town, and since 

 that date several more have been observed. 



