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. 



It 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 novce-zealandioe), 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 novce- 

 zealandioe have been several times snared in the bush at Kockwood. 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 {C olluricincla) con- 

 sidered a doubtful species 1 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. — Halcyon vagans. Gray. 

 Kotare. 

 Kingfisher. 



This valuable insectivorous bird, never molested here, remains with us 

 throughout the year, and in greater numbers than formerly; constant familiarity 



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