56 Transactions. 
Herr Finsch in the opinion that Ocydromus brachypterus has no real exist- 
ence. Individuals vary, to a considerable extent, both in size and in the 
colouration of their plumage. 
Two specimens, however, brought by Dr. Hector from the south-west 
coast of the South Island belong unmistakably to a new species, which I 
propose to name Ocydromus nigricans. The following is the diagnosis of this 
new species :— 3 
General plumage, brownish-black, each feather margined with rufous ; 
throat, cinercous, tinged with brown ; tail, black ; under coverts, transversely 
barred with pale rufous ; primaries obscurely banded with rufous. The rufous 
colouring prevails on the breast, but shades into dark cinereous brown on the 
abdomen. E 
— Extreme length (stuffed specimen), 20 inches ; wing, from flexure, T; tail, 
93; tarsus, 22; middle toe and claw, 24; hallux and claw, 1; bil, along 
the ridge, 2 ; along the edge of lower mandible, 13. 
In one of the specimens (apparently a young bird) the colours are alto- 
gether darker, and the markings on the under tail-coverts are wanting. 
Dr. Hector found this species frequenting the sea beach, and feeding on 
shell-fish and other marine productions. He never met with it at any dis- 
tance from the sea shore. 
23. There is no observable difference between our Rallus assimilis and 
some examples of the Australian Rallus pectoralis. The species is liable to 
great variation of plumage. Hypotenidia dieffenbachi must, however, be 
regarded as a distinct species, and peculiar to the Chatham Islands. My 
specimens of Ortygometra affinis differ somewhat from the Australian O. 
palustris, Gould. 
24, Another interesting species of duck (Anas gracilis, Buller) has re- 
cently been added to the New Zealand list. (See “ Ibis,” 1869.) 
25. I have never met with Larus schimperi in this country, nor is there 
a specimen in any of our collections. The authority on which it rests as a 
New Zealand bird—a label in the Mayence Museum—is wholly insufficient. 
By Larus pacificus, Latham, Mr. Layard evidently meant the common 
black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus, Licht.). i 
Larus (Bruchighvia) melanorhynchus, Buller, has recently been added to 
the list. (See “ Ibis,” 1869.) i 
26. On a more careful examination of the specimen from which my 
original notes were taken, and on comparison of the deseription in Gould's 
“Handbook,” (L, p. 536), I am induced to consider this bird not only a true 
.. Anthochera, but also identical with Anthochera carunculata, Gould, in 
LEY which ease the name proposed by Herr Finsch, Anthochera bulleri, must 
B 
course sink into a synonym of the former. 
