NESTOR MERIDIONALIS, var.
(The Kaka.)
μάλιστα δε Νέστορι δίω
Είδος τε, μέγεθός τε, φυήντ, άγχιστα εψκει.—Homer.
This New-Zealand Parrot runs into so many varieties that the specimen here given may assist in forming an opinion as to the propriety of retaining the other various scansorial forms (Nestor superbus, N. esslingii, &c.) as specifically distinct. The example so well figured by Mr. Keulemans appears to come nearest to variety e of Dr. Buller, who has well enumerated and described the several plumages. At first I had some doubt as to the species; but it clearly is of the Nestor family: if not Nestor himself without his aged head, he must be Thrasymedes. I received it in 1874 direct from New Zealand, where it had been kept in captivity at Wellington, North Island. It was represented to me as being very tame and wdth considerable powers of speech, restless, and as active at night as in the daytime. The call was said to be shrill. I consider this to be an illustration of albinism. The feet and legs, which are usually black, are here white.
Albinism and melanism are things requiring investigation. The 'Times' of January 19, 1874, quoting the 'Graphic,' gives some interesting observations from M. Milne-Edwards. This "well-known Parisian naturalist has been studying melanism, or the influence of climate in producing black hue in the plumage of birds. He observes that the quantity of black in their
