CHARADRIIFORMES 135 



birds are of a dark slaty colour, as seen on the wing, but some of 

 lighter hue are occasionally seen. One specimen which was secured 

 showed all the characteristic markings of the wild rock pigeon. 

 Another was nearly black, tinged with slaty-grey on the neck, black 

 tinged with brown on the wings, one distinct black bar on the wings, 

 and a black bar on the tail; underneath the wings the feathers were 

 pure white. 



Mr A. Warburton, Teacher, of Cromwell wrote me as follows on 

 5th March, 1892: 



I have found out rather a strange thing since I came here, viz. that 

 among the rocky mounds of the mountains, which are extremely bare and 

 arid, are growing Kowhai trees (Sophora tetraptera), stunted of course, 

 which were unknown in this district until a few years ago. I have noticed 

 that the trees are only found among the loose and disjointed rocky masses. 

 The seeds are evidently bird-carried, the nearest place where Kowhai trees 

 abound being Lake Wanaka, some forty miles distant. The transportation 

 is not the work of a native bird as the trees would have been planted before ; 

 consequently some introduced bird must carry the seed. I am inclined 

 to think it is the common domestic pigeon, many of which are living in 

 a wild state among the cliffs and rocks of the Dunstan Range. Of course 

 these birds have not been inhabitants of the district for many years, and 

 I dare say further enquiries will connect their advent pretty closely with 

 the appearance of the Kowhai. 



Mr R. D.Dansey informs me that wild pigeons were numerous on 

 the cliffs between Napier and the breakwater; but Mr H. Hill states 

 that they have mostly been driven away, he thinks by harrier hawks. 



I have no doubt that these birds occur wild in many other parts 

 of New Zealand, but I have not received reports from any other 

 localities than those referred to. 



New Caledonia Green Doves 

 The Auckland Society received two from Mr Martin of Noumea in 

 i867,and later four from Captain Stuckey. There is no further record. 

 I do not know what species of bird is here referred to. 



Solomon Island Pigeon 

 The Auckland Society received a pair from Captain Jacobs in 

 1870; and another from Mr E. Perkins in 1872. I have no idea of 

 the specific name. 



Indian Dove (? Turtur ferrago) 

 The Otago Society had two in their aviary in Dunedin in 1907. 



Queensland Doves 

 The Auckland Society introduced some of these about 1868 

 Hutton suggests (1871) that they were the little turtle dove or grey- 



