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171 



Younff. In immature birds the tints" of the plumage generally are lighter, the transverse markings are less 

 distinct, and the colours of the bill and legs are paler; the irides are dark brown; there is less rufous 

 on the head, and often considerably more of the cinereous grey colour on the breast and abdomen. 



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Varieties. Examples from different localities exhibit so much variety in size and plumage as to suggest the 

 existence of another, closely allied species. Mr. Potts says that when he was '' camping in one of the 

 gorges of the Hangitata, a very striking variety used to visit the tent constantly : the individuals of 

 either sex were above the average size ; the general colour of the plumage light greyish brown, the 

 feathers marked or barred with shades of dark brown ; the rump, and in some instances the tips of the 

 primaries, rich chestnut ; throat and cheeks grey." Dr. Hector informs me that on all the high moun- 

 tains of the Otago Province he met with a " cream-coloured '' variety, very readily distinguishable from 

 the common bird. Mr. Buchanan confirms this observation, and states that on the Black Peak, at an 

 elevation of 6000 feet, he found this light variety very abundant, but none of the other birds ; the former, 

 indeed, were so numerous as to prevent his getting any sleep. My brother, Mr. John BuUer, assures 

 me that he invariably found the Alpine bird considerably larger in size than those inhabiting the plains, 



and of a much lighter colour. 



A specimen brought by Mr. Henry Travers from the interior of the Marlborough Province has the 



general plumage of a yellowish-buff colour, very obscurely marked and spotted with brown ; and among 

 those obtained by Sir George Grey in the Otago hills, for the purpose of stocking the Kawau Island, I 

 observed that one (apparently a young bird) had similar plumage, although it was more distinctly 

 banded on the sides and flanks. Sir G. Grey informed me that these birds were taken by himself at an 

 elevation of 6000 feet, where they were found concealed under the tussocks or hiding among the loose 

 rocks, the assistance of a dog being required to dislodge them. A specimen in my collection has the 

 whole of the upper surface light fulvous shaded with brown, each feather having a subterminal spot of 

 that colour ; the primaries and secondaries are dark rufous brown barred with black, and the soft over- 

 lapping feathers are fulvous, stained more or less with rufous and barred with black in their middle 

 portion, margined and spotted towards the end with cream-yellow; the throat, fore neck, and breast 

 pale cinereous brown, mixed with fulvous on the crop; the lower parts dull cinereous brown, fasciated 

 on the sides and flanks with narrow markings of fulvous. 



Albinoes, more or less pure, ai^e occasionally met with. The ^ Canterbury Press ^ records the capture 

 of one on the Four-Peaks run, by one of Mr. Walker^s shepherds. This beautiful bird had the entire 

 plumage pure white, the bill and legs pale red, and the irides reddish brown. It was forwarded to 

 England by the Canterbury Acclimatization Society as a gift to the Zoological Society, but did not long 

 survive its arrival in the Gardens. 



Much of what I have said in treating of the North-Island Woodhen is equally applicable to the 

 present species, which is spread all over the South Island, being extremely plentiful in certain 

 localities. I am glad, however, to add the following further particulars from the pen of Mr. 

 T. H. Potts, whose long residence in Canterbury has enabled him to study the habits of this bird 

 to the best advantage : 



" One of the best walkers amongst our birds, the Weka's step is usually deliberate and slow; 

 its carriage is particularly noticeable, it is so remarkably bold and confident, yet wary — the neck 

 raised, with the head carried forward with a listening and yet contemplative air ; one is loth to 

 believe that the bird is such a mischievous rosrue. When at full speed, the neck is extend pd 



