392 



these parts being margined outwardly with pale fulvous, and marked with a large 

 subterminal spot of black. Under parts fulvous. Sides of the head and breast with 

 numerous spots of rufous brown, of which there is also an irregular line from the base of 

 the upper mandible to the anterior edge of the eyes ; sides and flanks variegated with 

 crescentic marks of rufous brown. Bill greyish brown ; feet pale brown. 



Length 8 inches ; expanse 13 ; wing from flexure 4 ; tail 1'5 ; tarsus *75 ; middle toe 

 and claw 1*125 ; hind toe and claw *3125 ; bill, along the ridge 1*75, along the edge of 

 lower mandible 1 '5. 



The example from which the description is taken, was forwarded to me by Mr. 

 Charles Traill, with the following note: — "Found on a small rocky islet off Chatham 

 Island." 



Fain. ANATIDiE. 



7. Anas gracilis, sp. nov. 



Upper surface dusky -brown, with greenish reflections ; the feathers of the back and 

 scapulars narrowly margined with fulvous-white ; the outer portion of the upper wing- 

 coverts pure white, forming a conspicuous bar across the wing ; the secondaries velvety 

 black, narrowly tipped with fulvous, and a speculum of shining green occupying the outer 

 vane of the three middle ones. Crown and nape blackish-brown, minutely marked with 

 fulvous-white ; throat, fore neck, and sides of the head fulvous-white, the latter marked 

 with sagittate spots of brown. Under parts light fulvous-brown, with obscure spots of a 

 darker shade, especially on the breast and sides, each feather having a broad central 

 mark of blackish-brown. Throat and abdomen more or less tinged with bright ferruginous. 

 Bill dark brown ; outer portion of the lower mandible yellow. Feet pale brown. 



Male. — Length 17 inches ; expanse 25*5 ; wing from flexure 8 ; tail 4 ; tarsus 1*25 ; 

 middle toe and claw 1 *75 ; bill, along the ridge 1 *5, along the edge of lower mandible 

 1*75. 



Female. — Length 15*5 inches ; expanse 23*5 ; wing from flexure 7*5 ; tail 3*5. 



As will be apparent from the above measurements, the female is somewhat smaller 

 than the male. The general tints of the plumage are paler ; but in other respects the 

 sexes are precisely alike. 



The form of this Duck is remarkably slender and graceful, the contour of the body 

 being almost as elongate as that of a Gamiet. On dissection I found the skin very tender, 

 and the flesh extremely delicate, with fat of a bright yellow colour. 



I obtained my first specimens (male and female) in the Oroua Stream, near its 

 junction with the Manawatu Biver, in the Brovince of Wellington. I observed that on 

 being disturbed from the marsh, where they were apparently feeding, they rose high in 

 the air, and came down suddenly into the creek with a rapid, oblique, and rather 

 awkward flight. On the water they kept near to each other, and I killed both at one 

 shot. I afterwards saw a pair on the whig, in one of the freshwater lagoons of the Lpper 

 Manawatu, the white bar being very conspicuous ; and more recently I obtained a fresh 

 specimen from Hawke's-Bay Brovmce.* The species is evidently rare. 



Fam. LARIDJi 



8. Bruchigavia melanorhyncha, sp. nov. 



Bure white ; back and upper surface of wings delicate ash-grey. First four primaries 

 white, variegated with black, the first primary narrowly margined on its outer and 

 marked diagonally on its inner vane ; on the next the black increases, and forms a broad 

 subterminal bar, which is enlarged on the two next, and decreases on the two succeeding 

 ones, all being tipped with white. The fifth quill, which is ashy, has merely a sub- 

 terminal interrupted bar of black. Bill black ; feet blackish-brown. 



Length 14 inches ; wing from flexure 11*5 ; tail 5 ; tarsus 1*5 ; middle toe and claw 

 1 "75 ; bill, along the ridge 1 *5, along the edge of lower mandible 1 '75. 



This bird may be readily distinguished from B. scopulina by its black bill and dark 

 feet, those parts being blood-red in the other — and, on near inspection, by the different 

 character of the markings on the primaries. All my specimens were obtained in the 

 South Island. 



Wanganui, New Zealand, 

 June 10, 1868. 



* P.S. Oct. 3, 1S68. — "Referring; to this species I have recently received the following interesting- note 

 from Dr. Haast : — " 111 a collection of Australian skins just arrived from South Australia, and collected by 

 Mr. A. Fuller, there is a specimen of your Anas gracilis. I looked at once in ' Gould,' but could not find 

 any mention of it ; consequently this bird, so far as Australia also is concerned, is new to science. I com- 

 pared the skins very carefully, and there is not the slightest difference ; in fact it is almost impossible to say 

 which is which. You can state this fact upon my authority." 



Erratum. — Fage 386, for " Platycercus pacificm" read "P. Novaz Zelandice." 



