38 Mr. W. Buller on some New Species 



feet. There, where the vegetation is reduced to a height of 

 only a few inches, it was constantly to be seen, fluttering over 

 the loose rocks, or upon the ground, in its assiduous search for 

 minute insects and their larvae. Dr. Haast has favoured me 

 with the following interesting notes on its habits : — " It lives 

 exclusively amongst the large taluses of debris high on the 

 mountain-sides. Instead of flying away when frightened, or 

 when stones are thrown at it, or even when shot at, it hides 

 itself among the angular debris of which these large taluses are 

 composed. We tried several times in vain to catch one alive by 

 surrounding it and removing these blocks. It reminded me 

 strongly of the habits and movements of the lizards which live 

 in the same regions and in similar localities.^^ 



Fam. LUSCINIIDiE. 



2. SPHENffiACUS RUFESCENS, Sp. nOV. 



Upper parts, sides, and tail dark rufous-brown, brightest on 

 the crown and hind neck; the feathers of the shoulders and 

 sides centred with black. Quills dusky-black, margined with 

 rufous-brown. Streak over the eye, throat, breast, and abdo- 

 men pale fawn-colour; sides of the head and ear-coverts 

 marked with black, Bill light brown, with the ridge black ; 

 feet dark brown. 



Length 7*25 in. ; expanse 7 ; wing from flexure 2"5 ; tail 

 4*25 ; tarsus 1 ; middle toe and claw '875 ; hind toe and claw 

 •75 ; bill, along the ridge '5, along the edge of the lower man- 

 dible -625. 



This species is larger than S. punctatus, more strongly built, 

 and of handsomer plumage. The specimen from which the 

 description is taken was forwarded to me by Mr. Charles Traill, 

 a gentleman greatly devoted to conchology. He obtained it on 

 a small rocky isle, a satellite of Chatham Island, during an ex- 

 pedition there in pursuit of his favourite science, but was unable 

 to give me any information respecting its habits or economy, 

 though he stated that he observed it flitting about among the 

 grass and stunted vegetation, and succeeded in knockiug it 

 over with a stone. 



