Frwscm.—On New Zealand Ornithology. 61 
The limited number of the order Scansores is well accounted for by the 
geographical position and physical features of the country. The family 
Psittacide appears to be particularly well represented. It contains two 
genera and ten species, all peculiar to and very characteristic of the orni- 
thology of the country. The scarcity of true Zrichoglossi is remarkable. 
On the other hand the absence of woodpeckers is not at all to be wondered 
at, as it is well known that this family does not extend further than Celebes, 
and is not known to occur even in the Moluccas, New Guinea, Australia, or 
Polynesia (4). 
The remarkable family of Apterygide, so peculiar to the ornithology of 
New Zealand, is sufficiently well described by Mr. Buller, and can therefore 
be passed over by me 
I have already alluded to the remarkable absence of pigeons and of the 
Galline tribe. 
Among Waders, and especially among Swimmers, certain peculiarities can 
only be glanced at, as the birds of passage belonging to this country have, it 
is well known, a very wide range. We know now, for instance, that many 
birds from the highest latitudes of the eastern hemisphere touch on New 
Zealand as their southern resting-place in their winter migrations, and 
recent investigations show that the known number of these is continually 
augmenting (5). We miss with some surprise that first cosmopolitan of the 
bird tribe, Strepsilas interpres, Linn., also Actitis incanus, Gml., and some 
other kinds which we might have expected to find here. Among Swimmers 
we meet with five natives of Europe, and others which form the connecting 
link between the African and American ornithology. 
The abundance of ducks and cormorants is remarkable, and particularly 
worthy of notice. Of these a very large number are peculiar to the country. 
The seven specimens described as new by Mr. Buller—but of which, never- 
theless, three are more or less doubtful, or at least demand closer investiga- 
tion—I have added to the end of the list at the close of this treatise, together 
with two newly-described species of Herr Von Pelzeln.* 
I eonsidered it advisable to append the name of the authority after each 
species. 
General remarks (page 2,line 22).—Up to the present time no true 
meliphagous bird is known to belong to this country (India). 
Fam. FALCONID.E.—W e are, up to the present time, acquainted with only 
one species of Falconide for certain in New Zealand, namely, Falco 
(Hieracidea) nove-zealandie, Gml., (harpe, Forst. )—which has already been 
** On a recent Remittance of Bird Skins tien Mow Fenland.” By Dr. Julius Haast. 
Ee ie of the Royal Zool. and Bot. Society, ” Vienna, 1867. Read at a meeting, 6th 
February, 1867. 
