50 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
Southern Ocean. Dives better than all other sea-going Petrels 
with wings open, using them under water as when flying. 
Distinguished by brown colouring, habit of dropping into 
sea from height. Combines the appearance of a Petrel and 
a Shearwater. Procellariiformes. 
19.5 in. Kea (Nestor notabilis). Crown and sides grey. 
Nape red, margined yellow and black, forming broad band, 
ear coverts and cheeks olive brown, flaked at side red. Upper 
parts dull olive green, margined black, red over tail. Under 
parts dull red and green, lining of wings scarlet. Legs 
yellowish olive. Sometimes soars with motionless wings from . 
peak to peak. Flight strong, sustained and high. Lives in 
crevices in rocks in high altitudes. In winter descends to 
gullies. Like Kaka has a hopping movement on ground. 
Said to attack sheep. Mews like a cat. Semi-nocturnal 
habits. (Psittaci (sub-order).) Sia cttacufenwocd 
20 in. Gre (Anas supercilliosa). Bill lead colour, 
irides reddish brown, throat and cheeks yellowish white, 
crown brownish black. Eyebrows white. Upper parts 
greyish brown margined tawny white. Speculum green, 
margined black. Under parts greyish brown, sides blackish 
brown. Legs yellowish brown. Flight rapid with whistling 
noise, makes a circuit in air before descending for food. 
Haunts, rivers, lagoons, swamps, and fresh creeks. Swims 
low, neck erect, rests on projecting objects or floats on 
surface of water head drawn in. Often found in large 
parties. Semi-nocturnal. (Anseriformes. ) Raferrok ot 
20 in. Shoveller or Spoonbill Duck (Spatula rhynchotis). 
Bill black, white crescents on cheek; head and neck dark 
greenish grey. F. head buff striped brown. Upper parts 
blackish brown, edged pale brown, glossed green, particularly 
elongated scapulars. Shoulders blue, primaries green. F. 
brown. -Under parts chestnut brown, very. glossy. Varied 
tawny white. Abdomen .dark rufous. Legs orange yellow. 
Flight straight forward and rapid, wings move quickly and 
audibly. Haunts, shallow lagoons, near sea shore, sheltered 
bush creeks. Walks fairly well, swims with ease. Skims 
over surface of water with bill when feeding. Differs from 
other species of duck by white on neck and breast, also flat. 
broad bill, especially at tip. (Anseriformes.) eYratifermcd 
‘Verna tuce Alea" ¥ 
20 in. Arctic or Rithae dson’s Skua (Stercorarius para- 
silicus). Crown dusky. Cheeks and neck white, tinged with 
yellow. Upper parts dusky brown. Under parts dusky 
brown or yellowish white or intermediate in colour. Legs 
black. Flight strong and powerful, twists and turns quickly. 
Breeds in Arctic. Seen on New Zealand coasts in summer. 
Runs briskly, often settles on water. Not seen in South 
