.214 Messrs. G. M, Mathews and Tom Iredale : 



Eail, Geu. Syn. vol. iii. pt. i. p. 229. no. 3), except that it 

 wants the white streak over the eye." Unfortunately the pre- 

 ceding descriptions do not refer to the bird commonly known 

 as 0. australis, but to the species recognised as O. earli Gray. 

 Finsch and Hutton at times recognised this, but they appear 

 to have been overruled by Buller. In connection with the 

 forms recognised it is worth notice that G. australis ranges 

 through the North, Soutli, and Stewart Islands in slightly 

 differentiated subspecific forms. 



We have closely studied G. brachypterus Lafresnaye, and 

 consider that it is a fixed melanistic form which only occui-s 

 in the south-west of the South Island and must consequently 

 be admitted as of specific rank. It shows to us signs of 

 descent from G. australis. The common South Island 

 Wood- Hen nmst for the present bear the name G. hectori, 

 which was proposed by Hutton for an alpine form which 

 longer series may show worthy of separation. 



It is obvious that here again we have not yet reached the 

 truth as to the distribution and forms of Wood-Heu 

 recognisable in New Zealand. The few specimens we have 

 been able to examine are more misleading than helpful. 

 We write " few " advisedly, as a large number become reduced 

 to few when tbe extent and nature of New Zealand are 

 considered. A range 12,000 feet high must constitute 

 fi big barrier to a flightless bird, while the climate of the 

 plains and south-west ranges differs entirely. 



[Geims CEEX. 



Crew Bechstein, Ornith. Taschenb. vol. ii. 1803, p. 336. 

 Type (by tautonymy) : C,'. crex (Linne). 



Crex crex (Linne). Land-Rail. 



Rallus crex Linne, Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, p. 153 : 

 Europe (Sweden). 

 Synonym : — 



Eallas fentherstonii Buller, Essay Ornith. New Zeal. 1865, 

 p. 18, footnote : New Zealand. 



Ilange : — New Zealand (one occurrence) ; extralimital. 



