Birds.

“H. brunnea.

“Dr. Finsch writes me as follows:—' I consider Hieracidea brunnea as doubtful a species as Nestor occidentalis; and if you declare: the very singular Stringops greyi a mere variety I think you ought to do the same with the two former.'

“Mr. J. H. Gurney, however, who is an acknowledged authority on Accipitres, writes me, under date April 10, I am sure you are right about the distinctness of the two New Zealand Hieracideœ.'

“Nestor occidentalis has been retained provisionally for the reasons given in my work on the Birds of New Zealand (pp. 50–51). My arguments for the reduction of Stringops greyi to the rank of a synonym are, I think, conclusive, Mr. G. R. Gray (who described the so-called new species) says he accepts my decision. I may add that latterly he was himself very doubtful of the validity of the species.”

Captain Hutton explained with reference to Norbea isolata, that he thought, the frequent representation, in New Zealand of tropical forms was not sufficiently appreciated. The lizard in question is of a stunted form, and may be a case like some tropical plants that are found in New Zealand and other islands near hot springs.

4. Dr. Hector described a Porpoise that had been shot by Mr. Lewis Wilson, from the s.s. “Luna.” The skull proves it to be Electra clancula, a species founded on the skull of a specimen in the British Museum. (Vide ante, 160.)