390 



PocrcEPS hectori, Buller, Essay, p. 19 ; Finsch, Journ. f. Om. 1867, p. 345. 



The distinctive character of this species, from our P. cristatus (Linn.), was declared 

 by Mr. Buller to be the absence of white on the wings and shoulders. The collection 

 contains a Grebe, which Dr. Haast mentions in his letter as a typical P. hectori. This 

 specimen is partially moulting, as is especially shown by the fact that all the remiges 

 are not fully grown, but are almost hidden by the tectrices. By unfolding the wings 

 carefully, one can see the white distributed in the same style as in our P. cristatus, with 

 which the specimen agrees in every respect. - I therefore cannot regard P. hectori as 

 distinct from our P. cristatus (P. australis, Gould). 



Larus (Bruchigavia) melanoriiyncha, Buller, Ibis, 1889, p. 43. 



If this species is not identical with the badly described Larus anderssoni, Bruch 

 (Journ. f. Orn. 1853, p. 102), from New Zealand, which Professor Blasius {op. cit. 1865, 

 p. 3S4), declared to be nothing else than L. scopulinus, it certaiidy will be a good species. 

 I, at least, cannot refer the fine specimen, received from Dr. Haast under the name last 

 mentioned, to any of the known species, and take it for a good species, distinguishable 

 by the slender black bill, tinged with a reddish tinge at the basal portion, and by the 

 great extent of white on the remiges. 



On some New Species of New-Zealand Birds. By Walter Buller, F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., &c. 

 [From 'The Ibis, ' for January 1869.] 



Fam. CEETHIIDiE. 



1. Xentcus haasti, sp. nov. 



Upper surface pale olivaceous-brown, darkest on the crown ; tinged on the back and 

 on the outer margin of the quills with olivaceous-green ; wing-coverts black, forming a 

 conspicuous triangular spot ; under parts pale fulvous ; bill and feet dark brown ; irides 

 yellow. 



Length 3 '5 in. ; wing from flexure 2 ; tail '75 ; tarsus 1 ; middle toe and claw 1 ; 

 hind toe and claw 1 ; bill, along the ridge "375, along the edge of lower mandible "625. 



In structure this species approaches X. longipes ; but the claw of the hind toe is 

 more strongly developed, exceeding the toe in length. It is an inhabitant of the Alpine 

 heights of the South Island ; and I have named it hi honour of its discoverer, Dr. Jidius 

 Haast, F.Pu. S., who forwarded me specimens for examination. 



Dr. Hector found it frequenting the stunted vegetation growing among the loose 

 mountain debris in the interior of the Otago Province : and Mr. Buchanan, the artist to 

 the Geological Survey, met with it on the Black Peak at an elevation of 8000 feet. 

 There, where the vegetation is reduced to a height of oidy a few inches, it was constantly 

 to be seen, fluttering over the loose rocks, or upon the ground, in its assiduous search for 

 minute insects and their larvae. Dr. Haast has favoured me with the following interest- 

 ing notes on its habits : — ' ' It lives exclusively amongst the large taluses of debris high on 

 the mountain-sides. Instead of flying away when frightened, or when stones are thrown 

 at it, or even when shot at, it hides itself among the angular debris of which these large 

 taluses are composed. We tried several times in vain to catch one alive by surrounding 

 it and removing these blocks. It reminded me strongly of the habits and movements of 

 the lizards which five in the same regions and in similar localities." 



Fam. LUSCINIID.E. 



2. Sphenoj:acus rufescens, sp. nov 



Upper parts, sides, and tail dark rufous-brown, brightest on the crown and hind 

 neck ; the feathers of the shoulders and sides centred with black. Quills dusky -black, 

 margined with rufous-brown. Streak over the eye, throat, breast, and abdomen pale 

 fawn-colour ; sides of the head and ear-coverts marked with black. Bill light brown, 

 with the ridge black ; feet dark brown. 



Length 7 '25 hi. ; expanse 7 ; wing from flexure 2*5 ; tail 4 '25 ; tarsus 1 ; middle toe 

 and claw '875 ; hind toe and claw "75 ; bill, along the ridge '5, along the edge of the lower 

 mandible '625. 



This species is larger than S. punctatus, more strongly budt, and of handsomer 

 plumage. The specimen from which the description is taken was forwarded to me by 

 Mr. Charles Traill, a gentleman greatly devoted to conchology. He obtained it on a 

 small rocky isle, a satellite of Chatham Island, during an expedition there in pursuit of 

 his favourite science, but was unable to give me any information respecting its habits or 

 economy, though he stated that he obsered it flitting about among the grass and stunted 

 vegetation, and succeeded in knocking it over with a stone. 



