ir ee 
Buiurer.—On the Notornis. 243 
colour; but the sides of both mandibles, in the present condition of the 
specimen, are reddish horn colour, fading to whitish horn along the cutting 
edges. The tarsi and toes appear to have been originally light-red, having 
now faded to a transparent reddish-brown, paler on the toes. Claws dull 
brown, lighter towards the tips. 
The texture and general appearance of the plumage on the head, neck, 
and under parts generally, is very similar to that of the Pukeko (Porphyrio 
melanotus), although the latter bird lacks the produced bright-coloured 
pectoral plumes which overlap the sides of the body, under the wings, in 
Notornis. The plumage of the back is very long and thick, but at the same 
time soft and somewhat silky to the touch, being evidently adapted to 
haunts where the bird is constantly subject to drippings from wet herbage. 
On moving this plumage with the hand it is found that the basal portion, 
comprising more than two-thirds of the feathers, is of a uniform blackish- 
brown, whereas the basal plumage on the other parts of the body is dark 
grey. The plumage of the head and neck is short and close, as in Porphyrio, 
the feathers having a soft texture. The whole of the upper surface has a 
slight sheen upon it (amounting almost to a glint on the tips of the shoulder- 
plumage), and the bright hues of colour on the back and wings change 
slightly under different lights. The plumage covering the flanks and over- 
lapping the thighs is dense and long, while its brilliant blue and green colours 
contrast strongly with the olive plumage of the back and rump. When 
looked at in front, with the wings closed in against the body, the purplish 
vivid blue already described is very conspicuous. The carpal spur is shaped 
like the claw of the hind toe, but is less arched. It is nearly one-eighth of 
an inch thick at the base, and is dark brown, fading into horn-colour at 
the tip. 
Measurements.—Approximate length (measuring from tip of bill, follow- 
ing its curvature, and from the forehead to the end of the tail) 24°5 inches 
wing, from flexure, 10 ; from humerus to flexure 8°75 ; carpal spur °4; tail 
(to extreme tips) 4°75 ; bare part of tibia 1; tarsus 3°5; middle toe 8, its 
claw 1-1; inner toe 2-2, its claw 1; outer toe 2°4, its claw ‘8; hind toe -75, 
its claw -75. Bill, from posterior edge of frontal plate to tip of upper 
mandible, 8-4; from gape along edge of upper mandible 2°5; along edge 
of lower mandible 2-25; greatest width of bill, measuring across from the 
Summit of the arch, or culmen, to the junction of the rami, 2. 
Observations.—Taken altogether, the specimen is a very fine one—probably 
an adult female. The plumage is somewhat worn, the primaries and tail- 
feathers having their webs more or less abraded on their outer edges and 
tips. The edges and sides of the mandibles are considerably worn, indi- 
cating a fully adult state, The claws of the toes, and particularly that of 
