BuLLER. — On the Genus Himantopus in New Zealand. 221 



study of the species at all ages and at all seasons of the year, noting the 

 changes of plumage that occur, and tracing their progress from youth to 

 maturity. 



The present paper is intended to be a contribution of this sort, but as I 

 have not collected or dissected any of the specimens referred to, it would be 

 manifestly unfair to hold me responsible for the data. Particulars of season, 

 sex, etc., I have been compelled to take on trust. 



For the purposes of this examination I have had before me forty-three 

 specimens, in different conditions of plumage, belonging to the Canterbury 

 Museum. 



There is no difficulty whatever in separating Himantopus leucoceplialus, 

 which is distinguished from H. novce-zealandice in the somewhat similar seasonal 

 plumage by its purer and well defined colours, its smaller bill, and appreciably 

 shorter toes and claws. Of course specimens vary, and in a series like the 

 present we meet with large examples of H. leucocephalus and small examples 

 of H. novce-zealandice, but the general rule holds good throughout. The young 

 are readily distinguished by the enlargement towards the distal end of the 

 tarsus (a provision for the future lengthening of this bone), which diminishes 

 with the growth of the bird. There are two fledglings in the collection, and 

 as the description of the " young " given in my Birds of IlTew Zealand 

 (p. 203) is taken from a somewhat older bird, I append the following 

 notes : — 



H. leucocephalus, juv. — Crown of the head, back, and upper surface of the 

 wings brownish-black, tinged more or less with brown, and many of the 

 feathers being narrowly tipped with greyish-white ; hind neck greyish-white, 

 mottled with black in its lower portion ; forehead, foreneck, and all the under 

 surface, as well as the rump, white ; the whole of the quills black, the inferior 

 primaries and the secondaries narrowly tipped with white; tail-feathers black, 

 edged with fulvous, and white at the base. (Obtained at Bakaia, Nov. 1872. 

 Weight, 6oz.) 



Of Himantopus novm-zeaXandim I have given in the Birds of New Zealand 

 (pp. 205-206) descriptions of the summer, winter, and adolescent states of 

 plumage, and under the head of " Bemarks " I have referred to the numerous 

 transitional states which have led to so much confusion in regard to this 

 species. The description there given, however, of the adult in winter, I wish 

 now to qualify by stating that the uniform dark plumage on the abdomen is 

 by no means a constant character. 



First of all, as a result of my present examination, I feel bound to dismiss 

 Himantopus spicatus, Potts, as having no claim, whatever, to the rank of a 

 species. The type specimen is now before me, and the distribution of colours 



