42 On some New Species of New-Zealand Birds. 



Under parts light fulvous-brown, with obscure spots of a darker 

 shade, especially on the breast and sides, each feather having a 

 broad central mark of blackish-brown. Throat and abdomen 

 more or less tinged with bright ferruginous. Bill dark brown ; 

 outer portion of the lower mandible yellow. Feet pale brown. 



d Length 17 inches; expanse 25*5 ; wing from flexure 8; 

 tail 4; tarsus 1'25; middle toe and claw 1*75 ; bill, along the 

 ridge 1"5, along the edge of lower mandible 1'75. 



? Length 15*5 inches; expanse 23"5 ; wing from flexure 

 7-5; tail 3-5. 



As will be apparent from the above measurements, the female 

 is somewhat smaller than the male. The general tints of the 

 plumage are paler ; but in other respects the sexes are precisely 

 alike. 



The form of this Duck is remarkably slender and graceful, the 

 contour of the body being almost as elongate as that of a 

 Gannet. On dissection I found the skin very tender, and the 

 flesh extremely delicate, with fat of a bright yellow colour. 



I obtained my first specimens (male and female) in the Orona 

 Stream, near its junction with the Manawatu River, in the Pro- 

 vince of Wellington. I observed that on being disturbed from 

 the marsh, where they were apparently feeding, they rose high 

 in the air, and came down suddenly into the creek with a rapid, 

 oblique, and rather awkward flight. On the water they kept 

 near to each other, and I killed both at one shot. I afterwards 

 saw a pair on the wing, in one of the freshwater lagoons of the 

 Upper Manawatu, the white bar being very conspicuous ; and 

 more recently I obtained a fresh specimen from Hawke's-Bay 

 Province*. The species is evidently rare. 



* P.S. Oct. 3, 18G8. — Referring to this species I have recently received 

 the following interesting note from Dr. Haast : — " In a collection of Au- 

 stralian skins just arrived from South Australia, and collected by Mr. A. 

 Fuller, there is a specimen of your Anas gracilis. I looked at once in 

 ' Gould,' but could not find any mention of it ; consequently this bird, so 

 far as Australia also is concerned, is new to science. I compared the 

 skins very carefully, and there is not the slightest difference ; in fact it 

 is almost impossible to say which is which. You can state this fact upon 

 my authority." 



