Finscu.—New Zealand Birds. 207 
Platycercus nove-zealandia, Sparrm. 
My Pl. forsteri, based upon Forster’s authority, must become united with 
this species, 
Nestor esslingii. 
This will prove to be only a variety of N. meridionalis. When I wrote 
my monograph on the Parrots, I had to admit it as a good species because 
there was a notice by Dr. Haast, stating he had seen the bird himself during 
his stay on the Alps ; he mistaking the alpine form of N. meridionalis for the 
above variety. 
Nestor occidentalis, Bull. 
This can scarcely stand longer as a species, and is after my examinations _ 
inseparable from N. meridionalis. The diagnosis given by Capt. Hutton “ cere 
very small” (“ Cat. Birds N.Z.” p. 20) is of no specific value. 
Halcyon vagans, Less. 
Having examined a large series of this kingfisher T consider it as a good 
species, distinguished from sanctus, Vig., by the constant broader bil. The 
colours are generally darker, but certain specimens are difficult to distinguish 
from sanctus. 
MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES. 
Frontal length of Bill “ss oa ‘65 to ‘71 ‘53 to +69 
Rital ,, i k rir ST. 98 49:5; 21 
Breadth of bill below _... es 23 ,, ‘26 19 y 2h 
Certhiparus nove-zealandie, Gml. 
I agree, after examination of specimens from both islands, with Capt. 
Hutton, in uniting C. maculicaudus with this species, but the figure in the 
“Voy. lAstrol.,” t. 11., £3, as well as the description, are by no means 
accurate enough. 
Sphenæacus fulvus, Gray: 
After my suggestions Sph. rufescens, Bull. will probably turn out to be 
this species. Mr. Gray does not notice a proper locality, so it might be that 
his bird came also from the Chatham Islands. 
Petroica longipes, Garn., and P. albifrons, Gul. 
= These birds seem to be scarcely distinct. They are by no means true 
Petroice, but form a singular genus, Myioscopus, Reich., distinguished by 
its long legs, the shorter wings and the stouter bill. Myioscopus belongs 
to the Luscinine, and is nearest to Erythacus. 
