140 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



feathers. He washed the colour out of their wings with soap 

 and water till the feathers were almost white, the bright red 

 colour, however, returned directly they were dry, and this 

 occurred even when the same bird was washed twice in the 

 same day. 



The red colouring matter is scarcely at all soluble in pure 

 water, but on the addition of the slightest trace of alkali it is 

 readily dissolved, and yields a blood-red solution. 



For notes on P. N. Zealandice, see H. N. M. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 

 1S77, p. 85. 



