CRITICAL NOTES. 77 
81. TRINGA CANUTUS. 
A few months ago Mr. Buller sent a specimen of this bird, which he 
had shot near Wanganui, to the Colonial Museum for determination. 
I also found several examples in the Canterbury Museum, and two 
specimens in the Otago Museum, which were obtained by Dr. Hector, 
and exhibited in the New Zealand Exhibition at Dunedin in 1865, so 
that it appears to be tolerably common in the South Island. All the 
specimens are in the winter plumage. 
83. GALLINAGO PUSILLA. 
In its colors this bird very much resembles the figure of G. Srick- 
landi, Gray, in the “Voyage of the ‘Erebus’ and ‘Terror,’” pl. 33, of 
which there is no description, nor locality, given. It, however, appears 
to be smaller, and to have a much shorter bill than Stricklandz. 
s9. Rallus Featherstoni. 
This bird differs from European examples of O. crex, only in having 
the rufous and white bands on the thighs brighter in color, and more 
sharply defined. Its title to rank as a New Zealand bird is, therefore, 
very doubtful ; but, as Mr. Buller has taken the specimen to England 
with him for comparison, this point will, I hope, be settled. 
95. DENDROCYGNA EYTONTI | 
Last May, when at the Thames Gold Fields, I had the pleasure of 
inspecting, in a bucket of water, the decaying remains of a specimen of 
this bird. Jt had been shot up the river some time previously, and 
nothing then remained but the back, one wing, the tail, part of the 
abdomen, and one foot and leg. I was also informed that the bill was 
black, with red bands. I secured the leg and foot, as well as some of 
the red and black feathers from the flank. A few days ago a specimen 
of this duck was received from Otago; it differs in no respect from 
Australian examples. 
107. LESTRIS PARASITICUS. 
This bird was shot by Mr. Buller, near Wanganui, and sent to me 
for identification. Although only in immature plumage, and with the 
central tail feathers scarcely projecting beyond the others, I have very 
little hesitation in referring it to parasiticus; no doubt identical with 
L. spinicauda, Bp., which is not uncommon at the Cape of Good 
Hope. 
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