Butier.—Remarks on curious Specimens of New Zealand Birds. 197 
2. On a Specimen of Thalassidroma nereis. 
Dr. Butrer exhibited a specimen of the Grey-backed Storm Petrel (Thal- 
assidroma nereis), obtained on the coast near Cape Campbell, by Mr. O..ai: 
Robson, a member of the Society, and forwarded by that gentleman to the 
Colonial Museum. 
Dr. Buller stated that there are two examples of this rare Petrel in the 
Canterbury Museum, but that hitherto, so far as he was aware, it was a 
desideratum in all other local collections. Mr. Robson’s donation would 
therefore prove a valuable addition to the collection of birds in the Colonial 
Museum. 
3. On the occurrence of Nyroca australis. ’ 
Dr. Butxer exhibited also a specimen of the White-eyed Duck (Nyroca 
australis), obtained in the Manawatu district, and purchased from Mr. 
Liardet. He stated that the existence of this well known Australian species 
in New Zealand was first ascertained by Captain Hutton, who, in 1869, 
obtained a specimen in the Waikato, and forwarded it to him for determina- 
tion. (Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. U., p. 78.) It has since been met with at 
Canterbury and further south; but the present is the first known instance 
of its occurrence in this Province. 
4, On a supposed New Species of Shag. 
Dr. Bunuer exhibited to the meeting three specimens (male, female, and 
young) of a species of Shag, collected by Mr. Henry Travers, in Queen 
Charlotte Sound, and which, although in some respects closely resembling 
Phalacrocorax carunculatus, is probably a distinct form. Dr. Buller pointed 
out the distinguishing characters, and stated that if, on a further examina- 
tion and comparison of specimens it should prove to be a new species, he 
proposed (with the concurrence of the discoverer) to name it in honor of 
Dr. Otto Finsch, of° Bremen, who has made many valuable contributions 
to New Zealand Ornithology. 
5. On Prion banksii as a Species. 
Five examples of the adult and young of Prion banksii, together with a 
specimen of the egg, were exhibited, and Dr. Buller pointed out the charac- 
ters which, to his mind, sufficiently distinguished this species from Prion 
ariel on the one hand, and Prion vittatus on the other. The specimens 
exhibited were obtained at the small islands off the New Zealand coast, 
known as “ The Brothers.” 
6. On a remarkable variety of Porphyrio melanotus. 
Dr. Bunuer exhibited a very singular example of the Pukeko (Porphyrio 
melanotus), shewing a tendency to albinism, which he had purchased from 
Mr. Liardet. Both this and another very similar specimen (of which a 
full description is given at p. 186 of “ The Birds of New Zealand) were. 
