Capt. Hutton on Rallus modestus of New Zealand. 349 



f- 261. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS. 



Not uncommon during winter. 



"f 262. COLYMBUS GLACIALIS. 



Very rare. There is a specimen of an immature bird in 

 the museum. 



263. PODICEPS CRISTATUS. 



Visits the large lagoons in great quantities during winter, 

 where they are hunted and shot down systematically. None 

 are allowed (at any rate near Cagliari) to remain to breed. 



264. PODICEPS LONGIROSTRIS. 



There is an extraordinary-looking specimen of a Grebe in 

 the museum under this name ; but as I was unable to handle 

 it, I could not examine it satisfactorily. 



265. PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS. 



Extremely numerous during winter, remaining until the 

 end of March, when they nearly all leave. I am not sure 

 whether any remain to breed. 



266. PODICEPS MINOR. 



Extremely common, but not so numerous as the preceding 

 species. They are resident in the island. 



XL. — On Rallus modestus of New Zealand. 

 By Capt. F. W. Hutton. 



In his remarks on Rallus dieffenbachii (' Birds of New Zea- 

 land/ p. 180) Dr. Buller says, "after carefully comparing 

 therewith [i. e. with the type of R. dieffenbachii] the type 

 specimen of Hutton' s Rallus modestus (forwarded to me by 

 Dr. Hector), and submitting the matter to the judgment of 

 other competent ornithologists, I have no hesitation in con- 

 sidering it the same species in an immature state of plumage." 

 It is to be regretted that Dr. Buller has not given the names 

 of the " other competent ornithologists j " for naturalists do 

 not generally give anonymous opinions on scientific subjects ; 

 but whoever they may be, I venture to think that they have 

 in this case made a very serious error, and I trust that I may 

 be allowed to state my reasons for thinking so. 



