I'ASSERES. . 19 



" This well-marked species is confined to the Chatham Islands^ 

 where it was first discovered, in 1868, by Mr. Charles Traill, a 

 gentleman greatly devoted to conchology. He obtained it on a small 

 rocky isle, lying oft* the coast of the main island, during an expedition 

 there in pursuit of his favourite branch of science ; but was unable to 

 give me much information respecting its habits or economy, merely 

 stating that he observed it flitting about among the grass and stunted 

 vegetation, and succeeded in knocking it over with a stone." — 



BULLER. 



21. Sphenoeacus fulvus. Graij. 



Above, bright fulvous streaked with black ; forehead, rufous : below, white luinutely 

 dotted with black ; a white line from the nostrils over the ejes aud enlarging beyond them 

 on each side. 



L., 7 ; W., 2-4 ; B., -6 ; T., -87. 



Sab. — South Island. 



" This species, which appears to be confined to the South Island, 

 bears a general resemblance to Sphenceacus jmnctatus ; but, on com- 

 paring them, the following characteristic differences are manifest : 

 The present bird is larger and has the whole of the plumage lighter ; 

 the upper parts have the central marks much narrower, and on the 

 hind neck and rump they are entirely absent ; the white superciliary 

 streak is less distinctlj^ defined, the spots on the under surface are 

 less conspicuous, and the tail-feathers, which are much paler than in 

 S. punctatus, differ likewise in their structure, the webs being closely 

 set, instead of having loose disunited barbs." — Buller. 



Gertgone. Gould. 



Eill, sliort and blender; first quill sliorf, tlie fourth the longest; tail, long; tafsi, 

 longer tlian midtlle toe. 

 Australia. 



22. Gerygone flaviventris. Grai/. 



Gbey Waeblek. Eiroeiko. 



Above, greyish-olive ; throat and breast, grey ; abdomen, while, tinged witli yellow ou 

 the vent ; tail, black, M-ith a white spot near tlie tip of the lateral feathers. 



L., 4-25 ; W., 2-25 ; B., o ; T., -75. 



Egg. — Ovoid ; pinkish-white, spotted with red, principally at the larger end, occa- 

 eionally pure white ; length, '65 ; breadth, "5. 



Hah. — Both Islands. 



" This little bird, of sombre plumage and unobtrusive habits, is 

 an interesting species, whether we regard it merely as the familiar 

 frequenter of our gardens and hedgerows, or, more especially, as the 

 builder of a beautiful pensile nest and the foster-parent of our tAvo 

 parasitical Cuckoos {Eudynamis taitensis and Chrysococcyx lucidus). 

 It belongs to a group of which there arc numerous representatives in 



