Morton.—New Zealand Birds. : 225 
Art. XXIV.— Notes on some of the New Zealand Birds. By James Morton. 
(Communicated by Capt. Hurroy.) 
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 20th July, 1872. 
Graucalus concinnus, Hutton. 
Colluricincla concinna, Hutton, “Cat. Birds N.Z.,” No. 40. 
A specimen of this species was shot at a farm four miles from Invercargill, 
and the skin is now in my possession. 
Platycercus, sp. 
I think that we have near Invercargill another species of paroquet, 
which differs from P. auriceps in being of a much bluer green, with a band 
of orange on the forehead, and one of light yellow above it ; the spots under 
the wings and on each side of the rump orange, corresponding with the 
forehead. It is about the same size as P. auriceps. (See note by Captain 
Hutton.) 
Ardea alba, L. 
I have had great experience in handling and watching the habits of this 
bird, -having been to the breeding-places on several occasions, and having 
kept two in confinement for six months. They had to be treated with great 
caution to preserve their health, for although they well knew the hand that 
fed them, and would always recognize me, still if I came upon them suddenly, 
or in any way disturbed them beyond what they were accustomed to, they 
would instantly vomit and sometimes remain sick all day, or even for two or 
three days at a time, and would sometimes lose the power of their legs. 
After a close study I came to the conclusion that this bird is three years 
in arriving at maturity. 
The first year they are pure white, with the skin on the sides of the head 
greenish or greenish yellow ; bill yellow ; legs black. 
In the second year the bird increases in size and the dorsal plumes appear 
a little in May, and the tip of the upper mandible commences to get dark. 
In the third year the dorsal plumes are elongated beyond the tail in a 
most graceful manner ; the bill is now black or dusky, and the base of the 
bill along with the naked skin round the eye is of a beautiful bright blve. 
Both male and female have the power of erecting their dorsal plumes at 
pleasure in a similar manner to the peacock ; this I have seen them do on 
their nests, uttering their hoarse croak at the same time. 
The adult bird is migratory, but to what extent I am not yet certain, but 
all birds shot near Invercargill throughout the winter are young birds of the 
first and second year. 
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