236 Transactions. — Zoology. 



its large size and the peculiarity of its plumage. Tlie possessor would not 

 part with his prize, but willingly allowed me to examine and measure it. 



In general appearance it resembled the specimen described by Dr. Buller* 

 as a variety of the common grey duck (Anas superciliosa). 



There was a broad band of white across the breast ; the wings were 

 quite white, the coverts being of the usual grey, but with a few white 

 feathers interspersed ; the head and face were white as far as the posterior 

 margin of the eye, remainder of head dark brown with green reflections ; 

 bill black ; feet and legs yellow ; total length, 28-5 inches ; wing from 

 flexure, 11 inches; tarsus, 2-2 ; middle toe, 2-7. 



Is it possible that this bird can have been the result of hybridization, 

 say of the paradise and the grey duck, or the former and the domestic 

 variety ! 



Art. XXXI. — Notice of New Crustaceans. 

 By T. W. Kirk, Assistant in the Colonial Museum. 

 [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 11th February, 1881.] 

 Ha I imus ruhiginos us. 

 The Colonial Museum has for some years past possessed a specimen of 

 Halimus bearing the name " Halimus ruhiginosus, Hutton, MS." In 1877 

 Dr. Hector submitted a drawing of this specimen to Mr. Miers of the Brit- 

 ish Museum, who replied, " It is evidently closely allied to H. hectori, Miers, 

 the tubercles occupying the same positions, but being in some places re- 

 placed by spines, also the rostral spines are longer and more acute ; these 

 differences may be due to age or sex." Having had the opportunity of ex- 

 amining a series of seven specimens, both male and female, I feel convinced 

 that the differences are not " due to age or sex," and therefore have but 

 little hesitation in distinguishing it from H. hectori, Miers, and adopting the 

 name so long ago applied. 



Description : — Eostral spines long, acute and depressed. Anterior legs 

 moderate, armed with acute spines, hand smooth. A single roAV of very 

 stout hairs arranged alternately, one long and one short, along both margins 

 of the second and third pairs of legs. A few scattered hairs of the same 

 character on the fourth and fifth pairs of legs. 

 Hah. Cape Campbell, Wellington, Napier. 



Gelasimus thowscni. — Fighting Crab. 

 Two males and one female of this singular and pugnacious-looking crab, 

 were brought to me some time ago by one of the local fishermen. 



* See " Trans. N.Z, Inst.," Vol, VII., p. 2'25, 



