188 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Xenicus insularis, Buller. (Island Wren.) 



Very diligent search has been made on Stephen Island for 

 further specimens of the Island Wren, but without success, 

 and there is too much reason to fear that this species has, 

 almost immediately after its discovery, become extinct. It is 

 n-iuch to be regretted that there is not a specimen in any one 

 of our local museums. 



I am informed by Mr. Henry Travers that he sent seven 

 examples (including two in spirits) to the Hon. Walter Eoths- 

 child. It is a comfort, therefore, to know that this vanished 

 species will, at any rate, be well represented in the magnificent 

 New Zealand collection now existing in the Tring Museum. Of 

 its habits, unfortunately, we know nothing. Mr. Lyall, the 

 lighthouse-keeper, through whom, I believe, all the specimens 

 were procured, reports that, so far as he could judge, it was 

 crepuscular in its habits. If that be so, it is certainly a very 

 interesting fact in the natural history of such a bird. 



Halcyon vagans, Lesson. (New Zealand Kingfisher.) 



I have already placed on record many observations showing 

 the predatory character of our Kingfisher. The following note 

 received from Captain H. F. Way is only another count in the 

 indictment : " Whangamata, 22iid November. — The other day, 

 while I was waiting at the entrance of a drive for my mate to 

 turn up (7 a.m.), I noticed a lot of Blight-birds (Zosterops) 

 flying about a tree ; then I heard a strange noise — whack- 

 whack-whack. At first I could not make out where the noise 

 came from — another whack. Presently I saw a Kingfisher 

 sitting on the branch of a tree with something in his beak. 

 Then came a rapid succession of whacks — first to the right, 

 then to the left — and I noticed something flying about in the air. 

 Then I made out that he had a Blight-bird in his beak, and 

 was a- whacking the poor little beggar on the branch to get rid 

 of the feathers. As fast as he got rid of the feathers so he 

 kept on swallowing the bird, and the last thing I saw of the 

 latter was his legs protruding from the Kingfisher's beak. 

 The most singular thing was the vigour with which the King- 

 fisher struck his victim against the branch — generally three 

 whacks on each side and then a rest, and so on to the end." 



Platycercus novse-zealandise, Sparrm. (Eed-topped Parrakeet.) 

 There is a remarkable example of this widely-spread species 

 in the Southland Museum. The curator (Mr. Fraser) very 

 courteously unscrewed the face of the glass case containing it, 

 to enable me to make a closer inspection : Forehead and front 

 part of vertex, as well as the ear-coverts, dark-crimson ; the 

 whole of the body-plumage bright-yellow, varied more or less 

 on the upper surface, and washed on the neck with green ; 



