its large size and the peculiarity of its plumage. The possessor would not part with his prize, but willingly allowed me to examine and measure it. In general appearance it resembled the specimen described by Dr. Buller* See “Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” Vol., VII., p. 225. as a variety of the common grey duck (Anas superciliosa). There was a broad band of white across the breast; the wings were quite white, the coverts being of the usual grey, but with a few white feathers interspersed; the head and face were white as far as the posterior margin of the eye, remainder of head dark brown with green reflections; bill black; feet and legs yellow; total length, 28.5 inches; wing from flexure, 11 inches; tarsus, 2.2; middle toe, 2.7. Is it possible that this bird can have been the result of hybridization, say of the paradise and the grey duck, or the former and the domestic variety!

Art. XXXI.—Notice of New Crustaceans. By T. W. Kirk, Assistant in the Colonial Museum. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 11th February, 1881.] Halimus rubiginosus. The Colonial Museum has for some years past possessed a specimen of Halimus bearing the name “Halimus rubiginosus, Hutton, MS.” In 1877 Dr. Hector submitted a drawing of this specimen to Mr. Miers of the British Museum, who replied, “It is evidently closely allied to H. hectori, Miers, the tubercles occupying the same positions, but being in some places replaced by spines, also the rostral spines are longer and more acute; these differences may be due to age or sex.” Having had the opportunity of examining a series of seven specimens, both male and female, I feel convinced that the differences are not “due to age or sex,” and therefore have but little hesitation in distinguishing it from H. hectori, Miers, and adopting the name so long ago applied. Description:—Rostral spines long, acute and depressed. Anterior legs moderate, armed with acute spines, hand smooth. A single row of very stout hairs arranged alternately, one long and one short, along both margins of the second and third pairs of legs. A few scattered hairs of the same character on the fourth and fifth pairs of legs. Hab. Cape Campbell. Wellington, Napier. Gelasimus thomsoni.—Fighting Crab. Two males and one female of this singular and pugnacious-looking crab, were brought to me some time ago by one of the local fishermen.