338 Transactions. — Zoology. 



figure, for the purpose of making known the original draw- 

 ing from which Latham took his description, that it may 

 assist in elucidating the species should it hereafter be dis- 

 covered." 



Now as to the other form, of which I exhibit this evening 

 six specimens, obtained in the high wooded country known as 

 the Karamea Saddle. This bird can be distinguished at a 

 glance from Miro australis, and Gray's figure suits it fairly 

 well. It is appreciably larger than the last-named species,, 

 and, instead of having the abdonaen white as in that bird, or 

 the under-parts rufescent as in Miro alhifrons, it has almost 

 the entire under-surface of a pale lemon-yellow. The frontal 

 spot, too, instead of being very small, as described by Mr. 

 Gray, is even more conspicuous than in the North Island 

 bird. 



Writing of Miro alhifrons Mr. Gray says, " It may eventu- 

 ally prove to be the same species as M. longipcs { = M. austra- 

 lis) ; and in my own account of this form {op. cit., p. 36) I 

 remarked, " My collection contains a specimen from Christ- 

 church in which the whole plumage is suffused with brown, 

 and the under-parts are smoky-grey instead of being white." 

 I have since received an example from Otago which is 

 scarcely distinguishable from ordinary specimens of Miro 

 australis. 



On a review of all the facts I am disposed to define the 

 group thus : — 



Miro australis, Sparrm. North Island form ; with under- 

 parts, within very narrow abdominal limits, pure white. 



Miro alhifrons, Gmelin. South Island form ; with under- 

 parts rufescent, and over a wider surface. 



Miro ochrotarsus, Forster. Another South Island form ; 

 with almost the entire under-surface pale lemon-yellow. Con- 

 spicuous spot of white on forehead. 



Female. — Similar to the male, but a trifle smaller, and 

 paler in plumage. 



Whilst thus recognising a third form I have no wish to 

 invent a new name. As there is some doubt as to which bird 

 was intended to be distinguished as Miro alhifrons, and as 

 that name is retained for the other South Island form, I think 

 we cannot do better than fall back upon Forster' s proposed 

 name, Turdus ochrotarsus, simply shifting the species into the 

 genus to which it now belongs. 



Forster's original account is as follows: "Habitat in 

 australi insula Novas Zeelandise, victitat insectis et minutis 

 cancellis ad littora maris, suaviter cantillat ; homines non 

 formidat, sed ubique ob insecta in ambulando inter fructices 

 excussa et circumvolitantia sequitur, saepius manu captus vel 

 pileo." 



