Ports.— New Zealand Birds. 197 
No. A. 65.—CHARADRIUS OBSCURUS, Gumi. 
Red-breasted Plover. 
About the middle of January the red-breasted plover may be found about 
the coast. We have seen old and young birds together on the flats at the 
head of Port Cooper on the 19th of January. They migrate from one part of 
the country to another, from the coast line to the higher grounds for breeding. 
They appear around Lake Heron in large numbers, finding their way to the 
Upper Rangitata flats in August. We have before noticed how this plover 
affects localities of considerable altitude for breeding, and we have a note of 
the occurrence of the nest and eggs as late as February on Browning Pass. 
No. 65.—CHARADRIUS BICINCTUS, Jard. 
Dotterel. 
Nortre.—September 4th, m four dotterels. 
Nos. 1 and 2 i jv es “ws 230z. each. 
» 3and 4 vel ii ai ee 2j0z. ,, 
No. B. 65.—ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS, Quoy. 
Crookbill. 
Little variance is to be found in the weight of the crookbill. September 
4th weighed eight crookbills. Six weighed 2oz. each, two weighed 1 oz. each. 
` No. 73.—ARDEA ALBA, Linn. 
Kotuku. 
White Crane. 
A description of the habits and nesting of this interesting bird was 
contributed to the Ibis last year by the writer. 
We have a note of the occurrence of a specimen which has a few black 
feathers. It is to be hoped that measures may be taken not only to preserve 
this fine wader from slaughter at all times in the year, but also that its 
breeding stations may be protected. The destruction of the white heronry on 
the Waitangituna river would almost exterminate the race over a great 
extent of country. 
Could our noble kotuku enjoy the advantage of foreign birth, like the pert 
sparrow or black swan, what columns of print would denounce its destroyer 
‘before the virtuous indignation of the public would be appeased. We have 
recently learnt that one grand heronry, far away to the south in this island, 
has been utterly destroyed. 
No specimen appears in the different Museums of the Colony of a variety 
of the white heron with yellow-stained plumes depending from the head. 
From a reliable source the writer is aware that a specimen was obtained in the 
Hakateramea district, South Canterbury. Hearsay evidence has given other 
