Butuzrn.— Further Contributions to the Ornithology of New Zealand. 869 
Islands, is very distinct in appearance from all those enumerated above. 
The so-called ** P. forsteri,” referred to above, labelled as from the main 
island Otaheiti, appears to hold an intermediate position between P. ulietanus 
and P. pacificus. It has the general plumage of P. pacificus but of much 
duller tints, mixed with brown on the upper parts and clouded with a colder 
green on the under parts. It wants the crimson vertex; but there is a 
frontal patch of brownish black corresponding to the colour of P. ulictanus, 
which changes to crimson in front of the eyes; behind which, also, there is 
a small obscure spot of dull crimson. It has the concealed nuchal patch of 
yellowish white, which is found in D. pacificus; while, on the other hand, it 
has the bright crimson rump which is characteristic of D. ulietanus. The 
tail has a dingy, washed-out appearance, and the colours of the plumage 
generally are very undecided. The bill and feet are exactly as in D. ulietanus, 
cf which species this bird may be an accidental variety, or possibly, a hybrid. 
There is a specimen of our P. nore-zealandia, exhibiting much bright yellow 
mixed with the green on the abdomen and under tail-coverts. It likewise 
has the thigh-spots very large and bright; the rump stained, and the tail 
obseurely banded on the upper surface with dull yellow. Another (collected 
by Strange) has a single bright yellow feather on the abdomen, and, accord- 
ing to the collector, the irides also were yellow. 
Nestor wERIDIONALIS, Gray.—Kaka Parrot. 
A curious circumstance in the natural history of the kaka has lately 
come to my knowledge. Ata certain season of the year, when this bird is 
excessively fat, large numbers of them are found washed ashore in Golden 
Bay, or onthe Spit which runs out from it. They are generally dead, but if 
not, are so exhausted as to be unable to take wing. The apparent 
explanation is that the kakas in their migration aeross Cook Strait, which 
is widest at this part, are unable to maintain the long flight, owing to 
their fat and heavy condition, and fall into the sea. The sot of the current 
being towards Cape Farewell, the bodies of the perishing birds are swept in 
that direction, and finally cast ashore. 
Hatcyon vacans, Gray.—N.Z. Kingfisher. 
On driving round Porirua harbour on the 19th July last, I noticed an 
unusual number of kingfishers perched on the rocks along the beach, and 
on the telegraph wires stretched across the numerous little bays. They 
were evidently attracted by the shoals of little fish that were frequenting tho 
allow water at the time; and at one spot I had an ocular demonstration 
of my argument with Captain Hutton,* which I should like him to have 
witnessed. “Ten little kingfishers sitting in a row ” were in possession of 
* Trans, N.Z. Inst, Vol. VL, p. 129, "T 
