Hurrox.—On the New Zealand Wood-hens. 111 
3.— 0. australis, Sparrman. 
Distinguished from the two former by its smaller size, the rust-red tint of 
its plumage, the grey colour of the throat and lower part of the breast 
(especially in the male bird), the more strongly marked pectoral band, and in 
Height of Middle toe, 
Wing. Tail. Culmen. bill Tarsus. without 
at base. claw. 
Male ... 65 44 17 69 2-0 2-0 
Female ... 6:7 44 1:8 '68 2:0 2:0 
The middle tail-feathers are generally barred, but this is very variable. 
Except by the size, this species is not always easy to recognize from 
O. troglodytes, and it is possible that it may prove to be a variety of it. 
4.—0O. fuscus, Du Bus. 
Distinguished by its dark colour, the absence of any markings on the tail, 
by the inner webs only of the primaries being either sparingly marked with 
dull ferruginous, or without spots, and by their being rounded at the point. 
Height o Middle toe, 
Wing. Tail. Culmen, bill Tarsus. without 
at base. claw, 
Male a, 44 4:8 2:0 84 2:8 2:3 
Female ... 65 46 2:0 :82 2:15 2:1 
In the young bird the primaries are acutely pointed, and both webs are 
banded with ferruginous, but the bands do not extend to the shaft. The 
general plumage also is much lighter, the feathers being margined with 
yellowish ferruginous, and the tail-feathers spotted with the same colour. In 
this state itis not easy to distinguish from the adult of the next species. 
This species appears to be confined to the south coast of Otago, on the western 
side of the Alps. 
5.—0. finschi, sp. nov. 
Throat, abdomen, and thighs dark brownish grey ; feathers of the rest of 
the body brownish black, with spots of yellowish ferruginous on the outer 
margins of each web. Under tail-coverts, and feathers of the flanks banded 
with yellowish ferruginous. Primary feathers of the wing acutely pointed, 
brownish black, banded on each web with dull ferruginous ; secondaries with 
yellowish ferruginous spots on the margins of each web. Middle tail-feathers 
brownish black, the outer ones with spots of yellowish ferruginous on the 
margins of the webs. Bill dark brown, getting reddish towards the base of 
the lower mandible. Legs brownish red. 
Height of Middle toe, 
Wing. Tail. Culmen. bill Tarsus. without 
at base. claw. 
NEM  G. (17 5:0 1:9 8 2:90 ` "n 
Female ... 6:35 4-6 17 :64 2-1 2:0 
5a.— Variety or immature. 
The light-coloured markings on the feathers larger, passing into marginal 
