220 Tra nsactiom. — Zoology. 



that altliougli Pkitycercus 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 conspicu^ minor : prasinus ; 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 ; 

 remigibus brunneis, ala spuria latissim^ ultramarina ; primariis extus ad 

 basin ultramarino, versus apicem angust6 flavido marginatis ; sub-alaribus 

 cyanescenti-viridibus ; cauda supra Isete prasina ; subtus magis flavicante ; 

 maxilla cyanescenti-alba versus apicem nigricante, mandibula omnino nigri- 

 cante : pedibus pallida brunneis : iride rubra. 



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



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



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



Probably the most puzzling group of birds we have in New Zealand is that 

 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 

 (if we except a small one said to exist on the west coast of Madagascar) each 

 of the great divisions of the globe can only boast of one. Ev^en Australia, 

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

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

 Timor. The existence of a second species in this country (//. novcezcalandia') 

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

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

 seasonal and transitional states of plumage) the nomenclature has got into a 

 state of confusion. As in all such cases, the only escape from this is a careful 



