78 



viduals of this species. They are labelled Sternula nereis, and measure, total 

 length 10 inches 7-| lines, length of wing 9 inches 1^ lines, bill from gape 



1 inch 9 lines, tarsus 7\ lines ; colour, above, silver or French-grey, forehead 

 white, back of head and nape of neck black, black streak round the eye, bill 

 and feet yellow : the eggs above noticed were discovered in November. 



Since the above was written, through the zeal of a friend residing near the 

 Rakaia, we have received two eggs of this interesting bird ; they were found 

 in November, hard set. On comparing them with the egg of S. minuta, of 

 Europe, in our own collection, we find them of rather a broader oval in shape, 

 of the same length, with a breadth exceeding that of the European species by 

 1|- lines ; but so close is the general resemblance between them, that they 

 might be easily supposed the produce of individuals of the same species. The 

 egg of the Lesser Tern, S. minuta, is less eccentric in its colour and marks 

 than those of many other species of the genus. 



No. 139. GRACULUS BREVIROSTRIS, Gould. 



Black River-shag. 



Breeds on the shores of the lakes in the interior, where these birds 

 congregate in considerable numbers, probably depending on the fresh water 

 Unio, for some portion of their food supply. Like the Rook, and the Heron, 

 of Europe, it builds in company, within the space of a few square yards many 

 nests may be counted ; the favourite breeding-place appears to be scrub, on 

 some of the steep and lofty banks of the lake shore. The nest is large, chiefly 

 constructed with sticks procured from the dead scrub, amongst which may be 

 found the dead flower-stalks of A ciphylla squarrosa, grass forming the lining 

 material. The eggs, four in number, are greenish-white, with the chalky 

 encrustations characteristic of the Pelicamxhe, elliptically shaped, they vary 

 considerably in size, especially in the measurement through the axis, as from 



2 inches 6 lines, to 2 inches 2^ lines, with a breadth of 1 inch 6 lines. When 

 freshly procured from the nest they give out that peculiar odour which 

 distinguishes those of the Procellarida?, in common with the eggs of the 

 Pelicanictae, truly "a most ancient and fish-like smell." 



No. 142. — Dysporus serrator, Banks. 

 Gannet. 



An egg of this bird, in the Colonial Museum, Wellington, gives the 

 following measurements, which correspond very nearly with the size of the 

 English species : length through the axis 3 inches 14 lines, with a breadth of 

 1 inch 10 lines. White in coloxir, with the rough chalky surface which 

 distinguishes the eggs of the Pelicanidse. 



Art. IX. — Description of two Birds new to the Fauna of New Zealand. 

 By Captain F. W. Hutton, F.C.S. 



[Read before the Auckland Institute, September 20, 1869.] 



Nyroca australis, Gould. 

 White-winged Duck. 



I first noticed this bird, about two years ago, on the Whangape Lake, 

 Lower Waikato, and since, on the Waikare Lake, near Rangiriri, and on 

 Rotomahana Lake, where it was abundant in March, 1868. On the 

 lakes of the Lower Waikato it is not uncommon, but is so wary that as yet 

 I have only been able to obtain three specimens, the first of which was kindly 



