118 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [April 
On the 23rd January another coil of spawn was laid on the glass of the 
same tank, and two days later this had been eaten by the C. porosus, which 
was seen on it. Both these spawn-coils were from one-third to one-quarter 
of an inch in height, so that the C. porosuv really cut away and ate only 
the lower attached portion, pieces of the upper edge drifting loose in the 
tank. 
The Occurrence of Malaria in the Native Ground-lark, by A. B. Dore. 
The incidence of imported birds showing infection by malarial parasites 
being already noted,* the question of infection in the native birds requires 
consideration. 
Plasmodium of the G-round-lark (Anthus novae-zealandiae ). — The 
infected bird was shot at Kimihia, in the Waikato district, on the 5th 
January, 1920. Blood-films were prepared direct from the heart, fixed in 
absolute alcohol, and stained by the Giemsa method. The infection was 
Plasmodium of the native ground-lark, a, Cell containing 
two young parasites 
exceedingly light; the average number of parasites observed on a slide 
did not exceed twenty. Unfortunately, only two films were prepared 
from the blood of this bird, and so the material for examination was 
limited. The plasmodia were similar in appearance to those found 
in the imported song-thrush (Turdus musicus). The nuclei of the host 
cells were in every instance displaced, and the infected cells sometimes 
showed irregularity of staining, and on one occasion a cell harbouring a 
temale gametocyte was partly dehaemoglobinized. The nuclei of the para¬ 
sites were often unstained. As no stages of schizogony were observed, 
it seems probable that the bird was just recovering from the infection. 
Nearly all the parasites encountered were either mature male or female 
gametocytes. In one instance an erythrocyte harboured two half-grown 
parasites. 
*This Journal, vol. 3, pp. 10-12, 1920. 
