ANSERES. 75 



of the mouthy and passing under the eyes to the ear-coverts. It 

 will, of course, be necessary to obtain a larger series of specimens, 

 establishing the constancy of these characters, before tlie question 

 can be set at rest ; Imt, if the dark-breasted bird should hereafter 

 prove to be a distinct species, I must claim from naturalists its recog- 

 nition as the true Podiceps hectori." — Buller. 



108. Podiceps rufipectus. Omy. 



DABCniCK. TOTOKIPIO. 



Above, blackish-brown, finely streaked with white on the head ; throat, brown ; breast, 

 rufous ; abdomen, white. 



Breast sometimes clouded with dirty yellow. 

 L., 10-5 ; W., 4-75 ; B., 1-1 ; T., 1-4. 

 Egg. — White; length, 1'65 ; breadth, 1. 

 Hab. — Both Islands. 



" Like the other members of the group, it dives with amazing 

 agility, and, unless taken by surprise, will effectually dodge the gun 

 by disappearing under the surface at the first flash, and before the 

 charge of shot has reached it. It is capable of remaining under 

 water a considerable time, and when wounded it hides by submerging 

 the body, and leaving only its bill and nostrils exposed. When hunt- 

 ing for its food, which consists of small mollusca, among the aquatic 

 plants at the bottom of the lagoon, it usually remains under about 

 twenty seconds, and then rises to the surface for an interval of seven 

 seconds, repeating these actions with the utmost regularity, as I have 

 observed by timing them with my stop-watch. It flies with difficulty, 

 and only for a short distance, skimming the surface with a very 

 laboured flapping of its little wings. On the water it swims low, and 

 with a rapid jerking movement of the head. The form of its body 

 and the laminated structure of its feet are admirably adapted to its 

 subaqueous performances ; and in clear water I have watched the bird 

 gliding easily along the gravelly bottom, with the neck stretched 

 forward and moved from side to side, and the wings partially open, 

 the feet being used as a means of progression.'' — Buller. 



LARIDyE. Gulls. 



Bill long, nostrils lateral ; wings, long ; hind toe, short and elevated. 



Lesteis. 



Bill, straight, hooked at the end, basal part covered with a cere ; tarsi, longer than the 

 middle toe. 



The colder parts of both hemispheres. 



109. Lestris catarractes. Quoy et Gaim. 



Sea-hen. Hakoakoa. 

 Brown, finely streaked with pale yellow on tlie back of the neck ; back, wing- and tail' 

 coverts, varied with white ; basal half of the quills, white ; shafts, white. 



