222 Essays. 
* 
Fam. MvsctcaPrpas.— Three species of the genus Rhipidura inhabit New 
Zealand. The fan-tailed flycatcher (Rhipidura Jlabellifera) is the commonest. 
It very closely resembles an Australian one, but is specifically distinct. The 
black flycatcher (R. melanura) belongs exclusively to the south. Only one 
instance is recorded of its occurrence, as a straggler, in the North Island, 
The other species—Rhipidura tristis—is quoted by Mr. Gray as an Otago 
bird. 
Fam. Convrpnz.—Of the genus Calleas we have two species, closely 
allied to each other, and named respectively Calleas cinerea and. C. wilsoni. 
Fam. Sturyipz.—Four species are enumerated in this family, viz., 
Aplonis zealandicus, A. obscurus, Creadion carunculatus, and C. cinereus.* The 
two former have a very restricted range. 
Fam. Psrrractpa.—The parrots of New Zealand form together an in- 
teresting study. Two of the genera, Nestor and Strigops, are peculiar to 
our fauna. Of the former, four species inhabit New Zealand,—the Nestor- 
meridionalis, or kaka of the natives; the Nestor notabilis, a fine alpine 
species confined to the South Island ; the Nestor esslingit, which assimilates 
to the Phillip Island parrot (JN. productus) in the rich colouring of its 
plumage ; and another, recently discovered, which the author proposes to 
name Nestor superbus.t 
feathers dark brown ; on the outermost a terminal spot of white, which diminishes on the 
succeeding ones and disappears at the seventh quill and on the three medial tail-feathers. 
Outer web of tertiaries greyish-brown. Bill black, brown at the tip; legs umber brown. 
Extreme length, 13 inches ; wing from flexure, 6; tail, 62; rictus, $; tarsus, 1}; hind 
toe and claw, 1; middle toe and claw, li; lateral toes, 2. The wattles are situated 
immediately below the ear-coverts. 
* Creadion cinereus, Buller—This species is of the size and general form of C. carun- 
eulatus, to which it bears a close affinity, but the colouring of the plumage is altogether 
different. The common species (the saddle-back) is of a deep uniform black, relieved 
outline across the shoulders, sweeps over the wing-coverts in a broad curve. In the pre- 
nt bird, however, the plumage is of a dark cinereous brown, paler on the under parts, and 
tinted with umber on the wings and scapularies ; the upper and lower tail-coverts and a 
and shape as in Creadion carunculatus, but somewhat smaller. Extreme length, 10 inches ; 
extent of wings, 12}; wing from flexure, 4; tail, 4; rictus, 14; tarsus, 11; hind toe and 
claw, 13; middle toe and claw, 11. 
t Nestor superbus, Buller.—Crown, hind-neck, breast, scapularies and upper wing- 
coverts, canary yellow of different shades and tinged with scarlet. Upper surface of wings 
whitish yellow, the primaries inclining to pale ash. Upper surface of tail when closed 
-coverts 
parts and minutely edged on the upper tail with 
r scarlet, largely 
are 
primaries on their 
spots of scarlet and 
: 
4 
1 
; 
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Bb c ML E IPAE E A ae cM ede 
