--^ Transactions. — Zoology. 



that although Platycercus novce-zealandice is very common in the North Island, 

 none of the very small examples have been recorded there. 



It being necessary to find a specific name to distinguish this diminutive 

 form, I have much pleasure in dedicating it to George Dawson Rowley, Esq., 

 F.Z.S., whose name is already in one way associated with the discovery, and 

 whose interest in our local zoology has found expression in a charming little 

 museum of New Zealand rarities, among which the unique specimen of the 

 Moa's egg holds a conspicuous place. 



Platycercus rowleyi, sp. nov. 



Ad.— P. novce-zealandice simile sed conspicue minor : prasinus j occipite 

 ad basin plumarum celate citrino ; genis et corpore subtus flavicanti-viridibus ; 

 pileo antico, macula ante-oculari, altera supra-auriculari et plumis paucis ad 

 latera uropygii postis puniceis ; tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus j 

 remigibus brunneis, ala spuria latissime ultramarina ; primariis extus ad 

 basin ultramarino, versus apicem anguste flavido marginal ; sub-alaribus 

 cyanescenti-viridibus ; cauda supra laete prasina ; subtus magis flavicantc : 



niffiicaiite. 



cante : pedibus pallide brunneis : iride rubra. 



Art. XXIX.— On the Genus Himantopus in New , 



L. Buller, D.Sc, F.L.S., etc. 



Walter 



Probably 



[Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 22nd December, 1874]. 



of the Stilt Plovers, and my object in submitting the following notes is to 



make another step towards a better acquaintance with and elucidation of the 

 species. 



In the first place it is somewhat remarkable that New Zealand should 

 possess certainly two if not three species of a genus of birds so peculiar that 



Mad 



of the great divisions of the globe can only boast of one. Even Australia, 

 teeming as it is with wading birds, is the home of only one species of Stilt (//. 

 UucocepJM), which is also common to New Zealand, Ternate, Celebes, and 

 limor. The existence of a second species in this country (//. novce-zealandice) 

 was first recorded by Mr. Gould in 1841. Since that date several other 



been added, and (owing to our imperfect knowledge of the 



names 



and 



state of confusion. As 



