Pogonornis cincta, Gray. (Stitch-bird.)

I have lately had an opportunity of examining a large series of specimens collected for Mr. Spencer oh the Little Barrier Island, before that last resort of this species came under Government protection. The young male has exactly similar plumage to that of the adult female, except that there is a broad spot of canary-yellow near the bend of the wing. When the first moult commences this expands into a conspicuous band on the humerus, after which there is a gradual change of the body-plumage. I have described in "The Birds of New Zealand" a beautiful specimen in the Auckland Museum in a transitional state of plumage.