172 Transactions. —Zoology. 
No. 6.—ATHENE (STRIX) PARVISsIMA, Potts. 
Dr. Finsch expresses an opinion that this small raptorial should no longer 
remain on the list of our fauna, but since the third volume of the Transac- 
tions was published, the writer has been able to collect additional evidence 
as to the existence of this arboreal owl. 
On reference to that volume (pp. 68 and 69) it may be seen that three 
localities were named, in the forests and bushes that hem in the Rangitata 
and its tributaries, in which it had been observed. : 
Tt has also been taken at the Waimate, where it remained for a day in the 
roof of a hut. Mr. M. Studholme had it in his hands, but permitted it to 
escape. At the Waimate stands, or stood, the finest totara forest (Podo- 
carpus) in Canterbury. On a visit to the Waio river, in Westland, the writer 
found that it had been twice observed there. In the first instance the captor, 
delighted with the gentle manner of the little owl, gave it liberty. The 
second specimen was shot at dusk, on the meat-gallows of a secluded out- 
station, about ten miles inland from the sea; this spot is surrounded by 
dense forests, which bound the river on either hand. The person who got 
this bird, did not think of preserving it. He described it as being of a 
similar brown colour above, to the more-pork (Athene nove-zealandice), but 
that the feathers of the breast were marked with yellowish, that is spotted 
with a lighter shade of fulvous. ; 
Mr. Phillips of Rockwood, in this province, one moonlight night captured 
a specimen by taking it quietly off a bough of an apple tree ; here is a good 
instance in which no mistake could occur, as the young of Athene nove- 
zealandiœ have been several times snared in the bush at Rockwood. Mr. 
Phillips, like Mr. Studholme with his bird, carried it between his hands and 
allowed it liberty ; he described it as being about the size of our kingfisher. 
Note that each observer of this pretty owl was impressed with its gentle- 
ness and its fearless confidence. Both have long colonial experience, are 
accustomed to birds, and are men of position, well known beyond their own 
districts. Athene parvissima must not be given up, even to satisfy the most 
erudite of ornithologists; for how long was the shrike (Colluricincla) con- 
sidered a doubtful species? The fiat of the ornithologist went forth, ordering 
our lists to be purged of Graculus carunculatus ; yet, after a very long. dive, 
that ornamental shag has once more come up to the surface, and “ saved the 
number of his mess,” 
No. 7.—Hatcyoyn vacans, Gray. 
Kotare. 
Kingfisher. 
This valuable insectivorous bird, never molested here, remains with us 
throughout the year, and in greater numbers than formerly; constant familiarity 
