54 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
where.’’ Large like Goose. Conspicuous colouring. Does 
not extend north of latitude 39° S. Young resemble male. 
[Anseriformes.) 3: we TAdferrvetd , 
24.5 in. Black-backed_ or Southery k-back . 
(Larus dominicanus). Bill yellow, hea Upper parts 
black, tail white. Young reddish brown. Under parts white. 
Legs greenish yellow inclined grey. Flight majestic. 
Haunts, coasts, smooth sea beaches, harbours. Inland in 
stormy weather. Swims well, walks and runs. Very keen 
eyesight. Distinguished by, black and white plumage and 
large size. (Charadriiformes.) age ts, 
<a ti 
25 in. .Blue_ (Demigretta matook). Head slaty 
grey. Broad line of white down middle of throat. Upper 
parts dark slaty grey tinged with brown. Legs yellowish 
green. Under parts grey. Flight rapid but appears laboured, 
legs outstretched. Haunts, rocks under sea cliffs, shores of 
sheltered bays and estuaries. Moves actively about in search 
of food, alighting on reefs immediately on the ebb of the 
tide. More common, in North Island. Distinguished by 
slate blue colouring. (Ciconiifo es.) CA rdetforns a. ite 
: i ent tas 
25 in. Southern Skua or Sea Hawk (Catharacta lonnbergi). 
Head dark brown, marked pale yellow, bill blackish brown. 
Young have no yellow. Upper parts dull brown relieved by 
touches of grey. Dark brown on upper wing coverts and 
scapulars. Under parts dull brown. Legs black. Flight 
very rapid but wings flapping. Generally straight forward 
and near the surface of the water. Performs aerial flights, 
hovering motionless in the air some time, legs outstretched 
like Kestrel Hawk. Haunts, coasts. Swims well and walks 
well. Distinguished by white spot near bend of each wing 
seen from below. Habit of preying on other seabirds, 
swooping at them from height. Thin weak ery. \ Charadrii- 
formes.) ta pi4etmt< 
25.5 in. White-fronted Heron (Notophoyx novaehollandiae). 
Head white, throat, forehead, and over eye white. Crown 
dark grey. Upper parts bluish grey. Under parts grey tinged 
pink. Legs black. In flight head held far back, legs stretched 
out straight behind. Flight rapid, but wings beat slowly. 
Haunts, margins of lakes and rivers. Remains motionless 
for hours a aiting prey. Rare in New Zealand. / Ciconii- 
formes. A is! Byhale ( 
26 in. Owl Parrot or Ground Parrot (Strigops habrop- 
tilus). Head dark green, whiskers like cat. Lores and side 
of face dull yellowish brown. Upper parts dark sap green 
varied brown. Back and wings lighter, some birds very much 
lighter green. Under parts light greenish yellow. Wings 
lemon yellow streaked darker. Legs yellowish. Flight none. 
