232 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Jinsch 



typ 



Hector I take it, at present, for a good species, but I have some suspicions 

 that it will finally turn out to be a variety of the foregoing. At least we still 

 require more material to become fully acquainted with the members of this 



geinis. 



No. 77, p. 181. Rallus pectoralis, Less. 



The endeavour of Mr. Potts to protect his R. pictus as a good species 

 (Trans. V., p. 199, pi. XVIII.) is without effect, and even the slight difference 

 in the shape of the bill is not sufficient to convince me of the value of the 

 species. On the variability of this species compare Finsch, Ornith. Centr. 

 Polyn., p. 161; id. P.Z.S. 1871, p. 25; id. ib. 1872, p. 107; id. Jour. f. 

 Orn. 1870, p. 136. 



Rallus modestus, Hutt., Ibis 1872, p. 247. 



As the type of this species was caught in the act of protecting its young, 

 I cannot agree with Dr. Buller in considering with certainty R. modestus as 



dieffenbachii 



list of New Zealand birds. 



fl 



No. 88, p. 187. Rhyncliaspis variegala, Gould. 



is synonymous with rhyncotis, Lath. An old male received through Dr. 

 Haast agrees in every respect with Australian specimens in the Bremen 

 Museum. 



No. 95, p. 211. Lestris catarractes, 111. 



Dr. Buller enumerates the Southern Skua under the name of antarcticus, 

 Less., but unfortunately does not point out the specific characters. 



No. 96, p. 211. Lestris longicaudus, Briss. 



L. parasitica, Hutt., et Bull., B.N.Z., p. 268. 



Mr. Saunders believes the New Zealand specimen to belong to a new 

 species, but I have no doubt that it is only a young specimen of the above 

 species. 



No. 99, p. 248. Larus pomare, Bruch. 



Through the kindness of Dr. Haast I received the type of L. bulleri, 

 Potts, from the Canterbury Museum for comparison, and can state positively 

 that it is a young bird of pomare. Dr. Buller declares L. bulleri (= melano- 

 rhynchus) to be different from pomare, after having seen the type in the 

 museum at Mayence ; but his comparison must have been very hasty, as I 

 can state positively that L. pomare, Bruch (adult), is the tme melanorhynchus 

 of Buller = bidleri, Potts), whereas L. pomare, Bruch (voung), belon ' 



