GENERAL NOTES. 577 
Talorchestia twmida, u.sp.—This very distinct species was found in 
sandbanks at Purakanui, near Dunedin. In colour it is nearly a pure 
white with large turquoise-blue eyes. Hach individual lived in a hole 
‘by itself, among the roots of littoral plants, and when dug out leapt 
away most vigourously. Two forms of the male were obtained and one 
of the female, but whether the former is a case of permanent or only 
‘temporary dimorphism is an open question. 
Cleantis tubicola, n.sp.—This species was found at Judge’s Bay, 
Auckland, by a son of Mr. Robt. Gillies, of this city. It is very 
different from all other New Zealand forms of /dotea, its most peculiar 
feature being that it lives in a tube (about half an inch long) apparently 
formed from the hollow stem of some marine or littoral plant. The 
antenne: are thick and pediform, and appear to be the organs of pro- 
gression, while the legs in order to be stowed away in the least possible 
compass are closely packed in the tube: the three first pairs are directed 
forwards, the fourth crossed under the body, and the three posterior 
pairs directed backwards._-Gro. M. THomson. 
WEKAS LAYING IN Captivity.—As I am not aware whether any 
attempt has ever been made to breed the Weka (Ocydromus australis) 
in confinement, perhaps the results of some experiments this spring may 
be worth recording. My object at the outset, was, if possible to procure 
Hybrids between the Weka and our domestic game fowls. With this 
in view I raised a nest of young Wekas—five in number —with one 
domestic well bred game cock. ‘The young wekas proved to be three 
females and two males. I liberated the latter three miles from home 
duly marked, in order to know them again if they ever returned. In 
my original object I have been unsuccessful, as two sittings of eggs on 
trial were imperfect, and from their different modes of copulation [ am 
inclined to think the task will be a difficult one. Of course it is alleged 
that hybrids have been obtained; but they undoubtedly must be of rare 
occurrence. However, the capability or power of the Weka to lay eggs 
is astonishing; they began to lay at the end of July, and up to the 
present time have laid sixty-four eggs; one bird alone laying twenty- 
eight of the number. This is more remarkable, as in addition to the 
greater number it has laid, its eggs are much larger. harder-shelled, and 
handsomer than those laid by the other two birds. It laid for the first 
time on August 4th, and by the 20th had laid eleven eggs; it then discon- 
tinued laying for nine days. Since then it continues to lay on an 
average of every two days, missing a day or two occasionally. They are 
all remarkably tame, and are equally at home and contented. They are 
now fed on food to test their laying qualities ; two of them have the 
pernicious practice of eating their own eggs. I stop them for a time by 
spicing a few with mustard and cayenne pepper ; the eggs when cooked 
are slightly inferior to those of the domestie fowl. The Weka in its 
natural state, pairs only once, and remains permanently paired, unless 
by some means they are separated ; but that they are polygamous is 
placed beyond doubt by a tame male I introduced with them (after J 
ascertained the two sittings of eggs to be unfruitful) being now common 
with all three alike. If by any possibility hybrids could be obtained, 
their good qualities for laying appear to exist on the side of their wild 
parents, and would probably mark the origin in our country of a useful 
and hardy strain of domestic fowls.—W. W. 8. 
