Eudyptula undina. In further illustration of my view that this bird is specifically distinct from Eudyptula minor, I beg to submit sketches of the bill (Figs. 3 and 4, Plate) shewing the relative size. These sketches are from specimens in the Colonial Museum.

Art. XXXIII.—On the Occurrence of the Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) in New Zealand. By Walter L. Buller, C.M.G., Sc.D., President. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, July 29th, 1876.] I Have much pleasure in laying before the Society a fine specimen of the Australian Spoonbill, recently obtained at Manawatu, and kindly forwarded to me by Mr. Charles Hulke, of Foxton, to whom I am further indebted for the following notes:—“This Spoonbill was shot in April last, near the mouth of the Manawatu River, by Mr. Blake, who, from having served under Messrs. Speke and Grant in Africa, never loses sight of any curiosity if possible. It was sitting on the sand in company with three Paradise Ducks (Casarca variegata.) Mr. Blake saw that the bird was a stranger, and he was attempting to get the four birds in line, when his dog startled them, and up they flew. Sacrificing the ducks for the sake of getting the stranger, he fired and the bird fell upon the sand with a heavy thud. It measured 4 feet 2 ½ inches from tip to tip of wings, and when laid on the table preparatory for skinning, it measured from the tip of the bill to the end of the tarsi 3 feet 9 inches. The body was about the size of a small goose; legs, bill, and skin of throat jet black, marked with orange round the eyes, assuming the form of a narrow streak below, and a crescent mark above. I observed that the tongue was very short, and that the passage to the gullet was furnished with small fringed flaps, or valvular appendages, somewhat similar to those at the base of the tongue, but much deeper. Having very little time at my disposal, I was unable to make a very minute examination of the specimen. It struck me, however, that the wingshoulders were placed well back, indicating great power of flight, From the small size of the occipital crest, I judged that the specimen was a female. It was evident, also, that it had almost finished moulting. “This bird has been seen for some five or six months about the lagoons in the vicinity of Mr. Robinson's homestead. By his sons it had been taken for a White Shag. Only one had been seen by them, but I have been informed by a person who is in the habit of crossing the country between Foxton and Rangitikei, that he is confident he has seen another specimen near the Rangitikei River. No other specimen has, however, been seen in company with the one sent herewith.”