Wellington Philosophical Society. 449 
Sixra Meetine. 15th October, 1884. 
Mr. Govett, Vice-president, in the chair, 
New Members.—Dr. Cahill and W. F. Barraud. 
“ On the Kea or Mountain Parrot," by A. McKa 
y. 
zh uthor, by relating a number of observations, showed that the kea possessed a 
high fais of intelligence, and that only on the very borders of the region it occupied 
had this bird acquired the habit of killing and wounding sheep. The author further went 
on to show that the keas had the power of communicating ideas amongst themselves. 
M of the opinion that in consequence of its superior intelligence, and the 
dd of tga country which it inhabited, wm was little probability of its ever 
being exterminated. An anecdote was related by author to show the intelligence of 
the bird, according to which several keas, after a bun. delegated one bird, twice in 
suecession, to untie the knot in a string which fastened one of their number to a pick- 
handle. 
2. Mr. E. A. Gibbon (not a member of the Society), then read a paper on Floating Break- 
waters. He showed various models of contrivances intended to break the force of a heavy 
sea, and to retard the speed of a vessel running before a gale. The discussion that 
followed was not euim favourable to Mr. Gibbon's schemes, and that gentleman 
admitted that he had not yet proved their practical value by experiments. 
SrvexrTH Merete. 26th November, 1884. 
Dr. Newman, Vice-president, in the chair. 
New Members.—Dr. A. Martin, J. D. Treanor, and J. Barnicoat. 
1. * Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand," by A. Reisehek ; com- 
unes by Dr. Hector. (Transactions, p. 187.) 
2. “Notes on the Dolphins of the New Zealand Seas,” by Dr. Hector. 
(Transactions, p.207. ) 
3. Specimens of Gunpowder manufactured at the mills at Owake, Otago, and pre- 
sented by Mr. Mackley to the Museum, were exhibited. 
Annuar Meetine. 18th February, 1885. 
Dr. Buller, C.M.G., F.R.S., in the chair. 
New Members.—A. Cook, E. Tregear. 
ABSTRACT oF Report ror 1884 
During the past year the society had held eight general meetings, at which 9 papers 
on Geology, 8 on Botany, 10 on Zoology, and 5 on Miscellaneous sa ce vc been read. 
The re-arrangement of the library had afforded members greate consult. 
ing the valuable works now belonging to the society, which Buen be still further increased 
when the printed catalogue now being prepared of the whole collection was provided. 
Fourteen members had been elected during the year, making a total of 261 now on the roll. 
From the Treasurer’s statement of accounts, it appears that the receipts for the year, 
including a balance of £145 1s. 11d. brought forward in February, i884, amounted to 
29 
