298 On some New-Zealand Birds. 



ing the specimen whieli Mr. Drew, in whose possession it is, 

 kindly brought to Wellington for my inspection. I find that 

 the previous identification was incorrect, and that the species is 

 really L. lohatus, the '' Wattled Plover; '^ I therefore hasten to 

 correct the mistake. The two species are very similar, the 

 most striking difference being tlie amount of black on the 

 neck, which was not sufficiently shown in the sketch. This 

 species is called the " Alarm Bird " by the settlers in some 

 parts of New South Wales, on account of its habit, when 

 disturbed, of rising in the air, flying about excitedly, and 

 screaming so loudly that every creature within reach of its 

 cry is on the alert. 



4. Centura caudacuta. Spine-tailed Swift. Needle- 

 tailed Swallow. 



Mr. Drew also brought with him a very good specimen of 

 this bird. It was shot at Manaia, Hawera County, in March 

 1888, and was given to the present owner by IMr. Budge. 

 This latest visitor is a female, as proved by dissection, the 

 only difference between the sexes being that the male is 

 rather larger than his mate. This species has a wide range ; 

 it is said to breed under the snow-line in the Himalayas ; it 

 was found by Von Schrenck in Anioorland; it has been cap- 

 tured in England, is common in Australia, and has now 

 been taken in New Zealand. Large flocks visit the eastern 

 parts of Australia and Tasmania in the summer, but only 

 stay a short time. It is probable that our specimen was 

 merely an exhausted straggler from one of these flocks. It 

 agrees well with the description given by Gould : — '' Crown 

 of head, back of neck, and ear-coverts deep shining green, 

 strongly tinged with brown ; a small space immediately 

 before the eye deep velvety black ; band cross the forehead, 

 throat, inner webs of the secondaries nearest the back, a 

 patch ou the lower part of the flanks, and the under tail- 

 coverts white ; wings and tail deep shining green, with purple 

 reflexions ; centre of the back greyish brown, becoming 

 darker towards the rump -, chest and abdomen dark clove- 

 brown.'-' 



