220 Transactions. — Zoology. 



five or six of the latter from the same uest at one time. The 

 eruption of 1876 covered the floor of the crater with a deposit 

 of mud verj^ similar to that thrown out by the eruption of 

 Tarawera,. and apparently killed out the species, for it has not 

 been seen since. The evidence, such as it is, seems to point 

 to the former existence of a species of JSIcgapodius. It is 

 worth mention that in the crater-basin of Kiuafou, one of the 

 Tongan Islands, and which is not further removed from 

 Sunday Island than the mainland of New Zealand, a species 

 of Mcgapodins has long been known to exist. (See Fiusch and 

 Hartlaub, "Ornithology of Central Polynesia," j). 153; and 

 the Eev. S. W. Baker's notes published in the Trans. N.Z. 

 Inst., xvii., p. 452.) 



11. Golden Plover {Cliaradrius fulvus, Gml.). 

 According to Mr. Bell, this species sometimes visits Stmday 



Island. As it is fi-equently seen in many parts of Polynesia, 

 and occasionally reaches our own shores, it is by no means 

 improbable that his identification is correct ; but I have seen 

 no specimens. 



12. Blue Hekon [Ardea sacra, Gml.). 



This also I include on the authority of Mr. Bell, who in- 

 forms me that it is occasionally seen in the group. It is 

 coiumon in many parts of Polynesia, including the Tongan 

 Islands, the gi'oup nearest the Kermadec Islands, and whence 

 a few individuals might easily emigi-ate. 



13. GoDwiT, or Curlew {Limosa novce-zealandue, Gray). 

 A few individuals of this species are seen on the shore of 



Sunday Island every spring and autumn — very possibly some 

 of the emigrants to and from New Zealand. 



14. Striped Eail (itrt//»-s jj/z/Z/^ij^cusZ-s, L.). 



Sunday Island, vicinity of the lagoon in Denham Bay, but 

 by no means common. 



15. SwAiip Eail {Orti/gonicira tahncnsis). 



I am indebted to Mr. Bell for a skin of this species, ob- 

 tained on Meyer Island. He also tells me that it occurs, v,-ith 

 the preceding, near the lagoon in Denham Bay. It is common 

 ■on many of the Polynesian islands, but its occurrence on Sun- 

 day Island is certainly very remarkable, considering its feeble 

 powers of flight. 



16. Pukeko (Porpnyrio mclanotus, Goulcl). 



Dming my visit in 1877, I saw a single individual netxr the 

 lagoon in Denham Bay. Mr. Bell tells me that it is decidedly 

 scarce. 



