BurLER.—JAeplies to Hutton's Notes. 137 
[In giving P. opisthomelas (Coues) as a synonym of this species, I had no 
wish to ignore Captain Hutton ; but it is manifestly impossible, in a list of 
synonyms, to do more than give the leading reference in each case. Captain 
Hutton has apparently forgotten that we went into the question together 
before I left the colony, and came to the conclusion that P. opisthomelas and 
P. gavius were the same. Dr. Coues states that the former species is abundant 
on the South Pacific coast of North America. Assuming, therefore, the 
identification, I was justified in assigning our bird a “wide oceanic range." 
To Dr. Finsch belongs the credit of having since put us right on this point. 
This author says (Journal für Ornithologie, 1872, p. 256) :—* Hutton's account 
of this species, which, since Forster's time, has not been examined, appears to 
be perfectly correct, but he is certainly mistaken when he asserts most 
positively that P. opisthomelas (Coues) is the same species. This could only 
be determined by actually comparing the typical specimens, and this would 
clearly show a difference between the two species. Hutton’s description is far 
too superficial to allow of anything approaching to a correct opinion." As 
Captain Hutton is so very sensitive about not being acknowledged, it is rather 
surprising that when he wrote to * The Ibis" stating he *had found out his 
mistake” in describing Graucalus melanops as Colluricincla concinna, he did 
.not also state to whom that discovery was due. ] 
*'THALASSIDROMA FREGATA. 
“Q This species is far more plentiful in New Zealand than 7. melanogaster.” 
[My experience differs from Captain Hutton’s, for I have always found 
Thalassidroma melanogaster more plentiful on our shores than T. fregata.| 
* PROCELLARIA PARKINSONI 
is common all round the New Zealand coasts, and not by any means confined 
to the Hauraki Gulf, as Dr. Buller would seem to imply. It breeds in the 
Rimutaka Mountains near Wellington.” 
[When I left the colony all the known examples had been obtained in the 
Hauraki Gulf. I am aware that it has since been met with in Cook Strait, 
and on other parts of our coast. | 
* DAPTION CAPENSIS. 
* [ cannot agree with Dr. Buller that the history of this bird has been 
fully recorded, when even its breeding-place is not yet known." 
[What I meant, of course, was the known history of this familiar species, 
for I had nothing to add to it. It is equally common in the Atlantic and 
Pacific oceans, and many excellent accounts have been written of it.] 
* PHALACROCORAX NOVJE-HOLLANDLE. 
* This bird differs from European specimens in never getting so white on 
the head and neck ; but this is not, in my opinion, sufficient to entitle it to 
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