REMARKS OX FOREGOING LIST OP AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 31 



a careful examination of over 200 skins of these birds from the above mentioned places, I can tind 

 none answering to Mr. Gould's description, which can be separated from the females of PlUopus 

 superbus, Temm. 



Tribonvx mortieui, Dh Bus. 



Tribonyx yovldii, Sclater, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (3), Vol. XX., p. 123. 



Having examined a large series of this species from Tasmania, I can testify that ]Mr. Gould is 

 perfectly correct in figuring the adult bird tcifJiout atiy ivhite markings on the icings ; the immature 

 birds (T. yonldii, Sclater) have white tips to the upper and under wing-coverts, but those on the 

 upper coverts at least, are lost in the adult. With respect to the size of this species, I give the 

 following measurements of an adult from Tasmania. Total length 16"8, wing 8'5, tail 4'5, tarsi 3-3, 

 mid-toe without nail 2"9 inches. There is no authentic record of the bird being found in Western 

 Australia, 



Anas gibberifrons, Mull. (Anas (/racilis, Buller, Ibis, 1869, pp. 41, 42. 



Tliis species, both sexes of which so closely resemble tlie female of Aiias castanea, appears to be 

 distributed all over Australia, except perhaps the north-west portion. Under the name of .^1. gracilis, 

 Buller describes it from New Zealand. I know of no marks by which the immature birds of tliese 

 species may be distinguislied from one another, the spots on the under surface vary, even in the 

 adult females of both individuals. Type of A. gracilis from New Zealand examined. 



" IJpper surface dusky-brown with greenish reflections ; the feathers of the back and scapulars 

 narrowly margined with fuscous white ; the outer portion of the upper wing-coverts pure white, 

 forming a conspicuous bar across the wing ; the secondaries velvety black, narrowly tipped with 

 fulvous, and a speculum of shining green occupying the outer vane of the three middle ones ; crown 

 and nape blackish-brown, minutely marked with fulvous-white ; throat, fore neck, and sides of the 

 head fulvous-white, the latter marked with saggitate spots of brown ; 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 

 ferrugineous ; bill dark brown, outer portion of the lower mandible yellow ; feet pale brown." 



" Length, 17 inches] expanse, 2.5-5 ; wing from flexure, 8 ; tail, 4 : tarsi, 1-2.') ; middle toe and 

 claw, 1-75; bill, along the ridge, 1-5; along the edge of lower mandible, 1-75. Female, length, 

 15"5 ; expanse, 23-5 ; wing from flexure, 7'5 ; tail, 3-.5."* 



Tringa canuta, Linn. 



Of this species I ha\e examined three Australian shot individuals, two from Wide Bay, and one 

 from Victoria ; several others were reported to me, as having been observed in the Melbourne 

 markets, along with Cladorhynchus j)ectoralis and other scarce species. 



* " Ibis," 1869, Note pp. 42, 380 ; also 1870, p. 459. 



