530 Mr. Vigors on some new subjects of Zoology. 



in his " Museum Carlsonianum," [t. 28.3 ^"'^ distinguished by the 

 denomination of Novce ZealancUce. Dr. Latham's name has un- 

 doubtedly the right of priority : and it has also the merit of being 

 more appropriate. In general, names derived from the habitat of 

 subjects of Zoology should be sparingly, if at all, made use of: 

 and in future the institution of such names, which may lead to 

 confusion in being found inapplicable to all the individuals of a 

 species, ought as much as possible to be avoided. But when once 

 they have been established, as in the case before us, it would be 

 unwise to make any alteration, where they are not altogether 

 erroneous. Dr. Latham's name will as yet apply to the whole of 

 the present species, although it appears to be spread over a great 

 extent of the southern Pacifick ocean : whereas that of Nova? Zea- 

 lanilia; is too confined in its application. I know not therefore 

 why M. Kuhl in his Monograph on this family should have re- 

 jected the prior and more appropriate term of Padficus in favour 

 of the later, and altogether inapplicable name conferred by M. 

 Sparmann. 



The species varies considerably in the greater or less prevalence 

 of the scarlet colour on the head, the uropygium and the sides of 

 the lower abdomen : the extent of the silvery colour on the bill 

 also varies. This variation does not appear to depend upon the 

 locality of the individuals ; as several specimens which I have 

 examined that came from the same quarter, Macquarrie Island, 

 exhibited the greater part of the different varieties that have been 

 noticed in this bird. The difference seems to depend more upon 

 age than situation ; the specimens to which I allude as having 

 come under my notice, and shewing these differences, having died 

 at different periods since their arrival in this country. There 

 is a considerable difference also in their size, their length varying 

 in general from eleven to thirteen inches. A specimen in the 

 British Museum which has every indication of belonging to this 

 species, is only nine inches and a half in length. They appear 

 an active and restless species ; and, generally speaking, very in- 



which has been incavitiously brought against him by the late M. Kuhl, ii» his 

 description of this bird. " Mus. Carlson. 28. fig. optima, qnam Lathaniiiis 

 non cUauil." Nova Act. Acad. Cicsar. Nat. Curios, torn. X. ]k 44. 



