Vol. IV. 

 1905 



Campbell, V ictorian and Tasmanian Birds. 



115 



sular forms — two instances must be pointed out where the 

 Tasmanian species, though certainly darker, is decidedly smaller 

 than its mainland congener : these are Gymnorhina and Acantho- 

 rhynchus. Corroborative evidence, however, of the general 

 axiom is found in birds from King Island — notably Malurus 

 clizabethcB, Acauthiza niagntrostris, and two Mclithrcpti — which, 

 as sub-insular forms, are respectively larger and darker than 

 the insular Tasmanian species they represent. 



Of all genera, .however, the one in which the greatest variation 

 is shown is Scricornis. The specimens from Launceston, besides 

 varying in colour, are much smaller than those from Hobart. 

 King Island specimens show an af^nity to the latter, but those 

 from Kent Group are of two distinct strains. One, 5. gularis 

 (Legge*), is so named on account of a triangular dark brown 

 splash on the throat, which is not found on specimens from any 

 other place ; while the other type from the same locality, but 

 presumably inhabiting more open sandy areas, is of a peculiar 

 light brown colour, having a washed-out appearance. These stib- 

 insular varieties certainly stand apart from 5. humilis proper. 



During the Hobart meetings of the Aust. O.U. some species 

 of Tasmanian birds were procured, and in the table which follows 

 their measurements are compared with those of the mainland 

 forms, and this, together with commentary notes, will serve to 

 shov/ the differences, where they exist, between the two. 



Victorian Natiiralisl, vol. xiii., p. 84 (1896). 



