obsei'ved, near Peel Forest, another specimen, which he is confident was not 

 the well known H. vagans. 



Mr. P.J- — observed, February 1.5, 1870, at his station, in the Malvern 

 Hills, a very dark Kingfisher sitting on the fence, but, as he was busy with his 

 sheep, no attempt was made to secure the specimen. 



It may be mentioned, that at localities so far inland as the Malvern Hills 

 and Peel Forest, Kingfishers are far more scarce than near the coast, their 

 appearance at any time would there be likely to attract notice. Under the 

 circumstances, it would seem premature to expimge this second species of 

 Halcyon from the list of native birds. Swainson named it ; Hector is of 

 opinion that he once shot a specimen ; BuUer makes a stand for it, and 

 contests that the question of its existence here is undetermined. 



The two friends whose observations have been communicated are both men 

 who, as Hamlet says, " know a hawk from a handsaw " (Jieronshaw). May 

 we keep it a little longer on our list ? 



No. 11. — Anthornis MELANUfiA, Sparmi. 

 (See also Vol. ii., p. 5Q.) 



To the practised ear and eye, the sexes are readily distinguishable. This 

 bird seems destined to play an important part in the distribution and 

 propagation by seed of many introduced plants ; within the last few years we 

 have observed within the outskirts of the bush many flourishing specimens of 

 Ribes, Leycesteria, Hypericum, etc., the seeds of which have been carried 

 thither from our gardens and shrubberies. 



The Koromako in the Fagus forests may be frequently observed ascending 

 the bole of the black birch after the honey drops ; its mode of climbing diflfers 

 from that of the kaka, kakariki, tui, or piwauwau, its progress is assisted by a 

 slight flutter of the wings. We have noticed some birds with the iricles cherry 

 or bright blood-red. 



The following notes may throw some light on the question mooted by 

 Dr. Finsch and Mr. BuUer as to the value of the species, A. r%ijiceps, Pelzeln. 

 August 7. — A Bell-bird (hen) on the camellias, head feathers of bright lavender- 

 blue, quite a contrast to the dark purplish tint of well-plumaged males ; it was 

 some time before this gay marking could be satisfactorily accounted for, every 

 likely plant in the garden then in flower was examined, but without success ; 

 in a few days many individuals were noticed adorned with the head feathers 

 similarly coloured; it was at length (September 10) traced to the freshly 

 opened blossoms of the native fuchsia {Fuchsia excorticata). March 10. — Saw 

 a nest with young birds, about two or three days old ; this is the latest bi-ood 

 we have met with. September 29. — Nest oi Anthornis tjielanura just finished 

 in the fork of an old Cordyline australis, hen carrying up lining feathers. 

 October 2. — Nest contained three eggs ; 3rd — hen sitting close ; 13th — young 



