230 Essays. 
corhynchus. The last named is a genuine mountain duck, frequenting the 
river sources, and subsisting chiefly on a species of caddis-worm. 
Fam. COoLYMBIDÆ.—A small dabchick (Podiceps rufipectus) is common in 
our fresh-water lagoons; and a large crested grebe, hitherto undescribed, 
inhabits the lakes of the south. Dr. Hector obtained several specimens of 
this fine bird during his exploration of the Otago Province, and they are now 
deposited in the Provincial Museum. The author proposes to name this 
species Podiceps hectori, in honour of the discoverer, who enjoys a high 
scientific reputation, not only in this colony, but also in Europe' and 
America.* The first specimens of P. rufipectus were forwarded to Europe 
by the late Dr. Sinclair, R.N. 
Fam. Arcrpx.—fFour species of penguin have been found on our shores, 
viz. Aptenodytes | pennantii, Eudyptes pachyrhynchus, E. antipodes, and 
Spheniscus minor, but the two former are of very rare occurrence, and have 
been detected only in the extreme south. The last-named species, which is 
also common to Australia, is found on all our coasts. It is comparatively 
plentiful in Cook Strait, and the island of Kapiti is resorted to annually as 
a breeding place. 
Fam. ProceLLARID®Æ.—The Southern Seas are peculiarly rich in petrels, 
nearly 40 species having been recorded by Mr. Gould in the Birds of Aus- 
tralia. As all the members of this family have a strictly oceanic range, we 
have comparatively little knowledge of their habits and economy. The 
following 14 species belong to our list :—Pelecanoides urinatrix, Puffinus 
assimilis, Procellaria gigantea, P. equinoctialis, P. parkinsoni, P. glacialoides, 
P. capensis, P. cookii, P. gavia, P. ariel, P. cerulea, Prion vittatus, Diomedea 
exulans, and D. fuliginosa. 
Fam. Lanrpx.—In this division the author has recorded the discovery, 
on the West Coast of the Wellington Province, of a fine specimen of the 
Lestris antarcticus, or plundering gull. It was unknown to the natives of 
that coast, and is therefore probably of very rare occurence.t 
Podiceps hectori, Buller.—The distinguishing feature in this bird is an occipital crest 
nearly two inches in length, and an ample ruff of loose silky plumage which surrounds the 
upper part of the neck. Forehead, crown and crest-feathers glossy black ; lores, intererural 
space and cheeks, white shading into pale rufous; ruff, bright rufous, brown towards the 
throat, but glossy black in its outer portion. General upper surface, greyish-black, with 
rufous touches on the sides and wings. Under parts white, diluted with grey on the 
foreneck. Bill greyish-brown, paler towards the tip; feet olivaceous black. (In the 
e there is less white about the head and neck, and the general tints of the plumage 
are paler). Extreme length 24 inches; wing from flexure 7}; rictus 24; tarsus 2}; 
longest toe and claw, 31. 
t Dr. Hector found another species of Lestris in Dusky Bay, on the south coast of the 
Otago Province. It is considerably larger than L. antarcticus, measuring 26 in. in length, 
the flexure of the v d of the first primary. — 
and 17 in. from ine to th 
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