79 



Mr. Swainson, and contained much interesting matter relative to tlie 

 Island of Tahiti, as well as personal reminiscences of the writer, whose 

 name however was not attached. 



2. "On White Island," by James Hector, M.D., F.R.S. (See 

 Transactions.) This paper was compiled from notes taken during a 

 visit the writer had been enabled to pay to White Island, by the 

 coui-tesy of Captain Kennedy, in landing him from the "Airedale." 

 The paper was siipplemented by diagrams, by means of which the 

 topography and geology of the island, and of the hot sulphur lake 

 (Lake Hope) in the centre, were explained. The substance of the paper 

 went to prove, that White Island is not, as is generally supposed, the 

 resTilt of sub-marine upheaval. The author inclines to the opinion that 

 the island has been a sub-aerial volcano, as the crater deposits on the 

 cone are similar to those of Tongariro ; and he attributes the present 

 position of the island to stibsidence. The soundings taken close to the 

 shore seemed to lead to this conclusion. He thought the whole island 

 might be regarded as one large geyser, and that the spoiiting steam and 

 smoking mud were more the result of chemical combination than of 

 internal heat. 



3. " On Sulphur Crystals taken from White Island," by E. H. Davis, 

 F.C.S., F.G.S. (See Transactions) Drawings of the various kinds of 

 crystals referred to in the paper were exhibited. 



4. " On the Blight Bird {Zosterojjs lateralis) in New Zealand, with 

 an Account of its Migrations," by Walter Buller, F.L.S., F.G.S. 

 (See Transactions.) This paper will form a very intei-esting chapter in 

 the ornithology of these islands, a work on which is now in hand by 

 the author, and is well advanced towards publication. The bird, it 

 appears, is variously known in different parts of the colony. The natives 

 call it tauhou, or stranger, as its appearance — in the north at least — has 

 been comparatively recent. As a similar variety of the bird exists in 

 Australia, many'have been of the opinion that it originally migrated 

 from there, flocks having been seen long distances at sea. The bird is 

 insectivorous, and from making a favourite food of the aphide known 

 as the American blight, it is called the blight bird, amongst other names ; 

 but under whatever name it has been known, it has always been found 

 to be a benefactor to gardeners. 



Mr. Crawford suggested that a prettier name should be found for so 

 useful and handsome a bird than that of blight bird. 



Dr. Hector said that on the south-west coast of Otago the bird 

 was numerous, and there was very good evidence to show that was 



