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Art. IX.—Notes on some New Zealand Birds, exhibiting curious Variations of Colour.
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 9th July, 1884.]
1. Glaucopis wilsoni, Bp. Blue-wattled crow, Kokako.
Several instances of abnormal colouring in this genus have already been recorded. The first specimen showing a leaning towards albinism belongs to the South Island species or orange-wattled crow (Glaucopis cinerea). It is of the usual dark bluish-grey, with the exception of a few white feathers scattered indiscriminately over the whole body; a description will be found on page 154 of Dr. Buller's “Birds of New Zealand.”
All the specimens subsequently obtained belong to the North Island species or blue-wattled crow.
In 1877 a pure albino having bright pink eyes and very small pink wattles was captured in the Rimutaka mountains, and kept alive for several months by Mr. Elliott of Pakuratahi, during which time it became sufficiently domesticated to feed from, the hand of its owner.
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Five years later two specimens almost identical, having the body, head, and neck of a pale slaty-grey, but the wings and tail white, were shot in the mountains near Featherston, and secured for the Museum.*
I have now to note the capture of two additional examples further illustrating the tendency which this bird shows to depart from the typical colour; both specimens, like those above-mentioned, were procured in the Wairarapa district, which locality appears from some cause or other to afford peculiar facilities for the production of these “freaks of nature.” (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. xii., 248; xiii., 235; xiv., 544.)
The first of these additional specimens is a pure albino shot near Greytown by Mr. W. C. Creff.
The next may be regarded as the second step in the progress towards albinism. This species is an uniform bluish-slate colour, with the exception of the wings and tail which are lighter, the shafts of the quills being quite white. It was obtained on the Dry River, Wairarapa, by Mr. Sinclair Liardet.
2. Ardea pœciloptila, Wagl. Bittern, Matuku.
A specimen of this bird lately procured at Foxton was shown to me a few days ago. It had a large white patch on each shoulder and on the back of the neck, the remainder of the plumage was of the usual colour, though somewhat dimmed. I do not remember the record of any similar description in this species.
3. Anas chlorotis, Gray. Brown Duck, Pateke.
In 1878 Dr. Buller described an albino of this species which was shot on the Horowhenua Lake.
The capture of a partial albino on the Wairarapa Lake was recorded by myself in vol. xiii., Trans. N.Z. Inst.
The specimen to which I have now to direct attention also comes from the Wairarapa, and is more remarkable than either of those before mentioned. The head and neck are pure white, with the exception of a few feathers of the normal colour near the base of the bill. A band of white, with a few coloured feathers interspersed, runs across both wing coverts, primaries and tail with numerous patches of white. The white head and neck, together with the band of the same colour on the wings, give it somewhat the appearance of a paradise duck (Casarca variegata), and suggest the possibility of its being the result of a cross with that species.
4. Ossifraga gigantea, Gml. Nelly, Giant Petrel.
On page 84 of the “Manual of New Zealand Birds” issued by the Geological Survey Department, appears the following remark by the author: “A variety with white plumage is not uncommon, a fine specimen captured
[Footnote] * Trans. N. Z. Inst., vol. xiv., p. 544.
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by Dr. Hector in Foveaux Straits being in the Colonial Museum.” The specimen referred to has, however, a number of black feathers; but the Museum has lately received another, presented by Dr. Buller, which has not a trace of colour about it.
There is now on view in the window of Mr. Liardet, furrier, of this city, a third specimen, in beautiful plumage, which may be taken as intermediate between the normal black and the specimen described in the “Manual.” The whole of the ground colour is white, but pure black feathers are plentifully scattered all over the bird.
5. Nestor meridionalis. Brown Parrot, Kaka.
This specimen is very similar to that described by Dr. Buller on page 40 of his well-known book. The one there mentioned was originally the type of his N. superbus, from which it differs only in having the head and upper part of the face of a delicate slaty grey, and all the bright parts much more gorgeous. It seems almost a pity that circumstances should have necessitated the reduction of this rightly-named superb bird to the rank of a variety.
The example now exhibited was procured near Waikanae, and is I am informed the property of the chief Wi Parata. I am indebted to the taxidermist to whose tender mercies it had been committed for the temporary loan of the skin.