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Okdek GRALLiE.] 



[Fam. EALLID^. 



OCYDEOMFS EAELI. 



(NORTH-ISLAND WOODHEN.) 



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Ocydromus earli, Gray, Ibis, 1862, p. 238. 



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Native name. — Weka. 





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Ad. cJ rufescenti-fulvus : plumis corporis superioris medialiter nigricantibus, rufescenti-fulvo marginatis : pileo 



summo et coUo postico saturate rufescenti-fulvis indistincte nigro variis : supercilio distincto sordide 

 cinereOj parte antica fulvescente : facie lateral! rufescente^ regione parotica fulvo varia : genis cum collo 

 laterali imo et gutture toto sordide cinereis : pectore superiore et lateral! rufescente : corpore reliquo 

 subtus Isetius cinereo,, hypochondriis rufescenti-brunneis : rostro brunneo^ versus apicem cinerascenti- 

 corneo^ culmine saturatiore : pedibus pallide brunneis : iride rufesceuti-brunned. 



Ad. 2 mari similis^ sed valde minor et obscurior. 



Adult male. Upper parts rufous fulvous, darkest on the crown and nape, each feather shaded with black in 

 the centre ; throat, fore neck, a superciliary streak widening outwards and extending to the nape, lower 

 part of breast and the abdomen dull cinereous, tinged more or less with rufous ; lores, sides of the head 

 and neck, upper part of breast and surface of wings bright rufous fulvous ; lower part of back, rump, 

 sides of the body, and thighs obscure rufous brown ; wing-feathers fuscous black, with rufous-broAvn 

 edges, the primaries banded on their inner vane with bright rufous ; tail-feathers fuscous black, with 

 paler edges; under tail-coverts fuscous, banded with bright rufous. The feathers of the body are 

 plumbeous at the base, with pure white shafts. Irides reddish brown; bill reddish brown, darker on 

 the ridge, and changing to horn-grey at the tip ; tarsi and toes pale brown, claws darker. Total length 

 21 inches ; extent of wings 22*5 ; wing, from flexure, 7*75 ; tail 4*75 ; bill, along the ridge 2, along the 

 edge of lower mandible 2*25 ; tarsus 2'5 ; middle toe and claw 3 ; hind toe and claw 1. 



Adult female. Plumage similar to that of the male, but generally of a darker shade, and with the barred 



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markings on the primaries more regular and distinct. It may readily be distinguished by its smaller 

 size. An example taken on the nest (with egg and young bird) gave the following measurements : — 

 Length 17 inches ; extent of wings 19'5 ; wing, from flexure, 7; tail 4 ; bill, along the ridge 1*75, along 

 the edge of lower mandible 2; tarsus 2; middle toe and claw 2*5 ; hind toe and claw '75. 



Younff. The colours of the underparts duller and more blended than in the adult ; upper parts darker and 

 more uniform in colour. Throat, breast, and under surface generally dull brownish grey, paler on the 

 throat, washed with ferruginous on the lower part of fore neck and on the sides of the body; no rufous 

 band on the sides of the face. 



Fledgeling, The whole of the plumage of a dingy rufous brown, the feathers of the upper parts shaded in 

 the centre with fuscous black; paler on the underparts ; tinged on the sides of the head and breast with 

 ciaereous; feet pale brown. In the specimen above described there is no appearance yet of quills, and 



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