24 



A letter was read from Thomas Keir Short, Esq., dated Launces- 

 ton, Van Diemen's Land, August 10th, 1836, containing some re- 

 marks upon the Apteryx, two living specimens of which had been 

 seen by the writer. The general correctness of the description pub- 

 lished by Mr. Yarrell of this bird is confirmed by the observations 

 of Mr. Short, with the exception of its progressive powers, which 

 are stated to be remarkably great. The natives employ two methods 

 of capturing it ; one by hunting it down with very swift dogs, the 

 other by imitating its call at night, and when by this means the bird 

 is decoyed within a short distance, it is suddenly exposed to a strongs 

 light, which so confuses it that it is then readily taken. The usual 

 position is standing, with the head drawn back between the shoul- 

 ders, and the biU pointing to the ground. The food is stated to be 

 principally worms and insects, and these birds are strictly nocturnal 

 in their habits, feeding only during the night. Mr. Short remarks, 

 that he has not been able to learn the place in which the Apteryx 

 builds its nest, or the number of eggs which it lays. In conclusion, 

 he promises to use his utmost endeavours to procure specimens for 

 the Society. 



Mr. Gould resumed the exhibition of his collection of Australian 

 Birds, as also several species, from the same country, forming por- 

 tions of the collections of the United Service Museum, and of King's 

 College, London. Among his own birds Mr. Gould characterized 

 two new species of Meliphagidce, constituting a subdivision of that 

 family, including MeUphaga tenuirostris of authors. For this new 

 group he proposed the generic title of Acanthorhynchus, and for the 

 two new species the names of A. superciliosus and A. dubius. 



Acanthorhynchus. (Gen. char.) Rostrum elongatum gracile et 

 acutum ; ad latera compressum ; tomiis incurvatis ; culmine acuto 

 et elevato. 



Nares basales elongatse et operculo tectae. 



Lingua ut in Gen. MeUphaga. 



Al(E mediocres et sub-rotundatse, remigibus primis et quintis fere 

 requalibus ; tertiis et quartis intense sequaUbus et longissimis. 



Cauda mediocris, et paulultim furcata. 



Tarsi elongati, fortes ; haUuce digito medio longiore et robustiore ; 

 digito externo medium superante. 



Ungiies curvati. 



Typus, Certhia tenuirostris, auct. 



Acanthorhynchus superciliosus. Ac. summo capita, corpore 

 superiore, alts, caudaque rectricibus sex intermediis cifierascenti- 

 fuscis, rectricibus reliquis nigris albo ample terminatis ; loro 

 plumisque auricularibus nigrescenti-fuscis ; gutiure summo, 

 genis linedque superciliari albis ; gutture coUoque nitide et pal- 

 lide caslaneis ; illius colore vitfd alba infra drcumduto, cui vitta 

 nigra accedit ; abdomine crissoque pallide cinerascenti-fuscis ; 

 rostro pedibusque nigris. 



