Order ANSERES.] 



[Fam. PODICIPIDiE. 



^PODICEPS EUFIPECTUS. 



(NEW-ZEALAND DABCHICK.) 



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Podlceps (Polio cej)halus) rujipectus. Gray, in Dieff. Trav. ii., App. p. 198 (1843) 

 Fodiceps rufipectus. Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 17, pi. 16 (1844). 



^ 



Native names. — Weweia and Totokipio. 



Ad. suprfi nigricans vix viridi nitens^ interscapulii plumis scapularibusqne pallide brunneo marginatis : pileo 



nuchaque sordide clialybeo-nigris^ facie et collo lateralibus brunueis^ genis et pilei lateribus filamentis 

 pilosis albidis ornatis : tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus : remigibus cinerascenti-brunneis^ secun- 

 dariis conspicue ad basin albis : gula brunnea : jugulo et pectore anteriore rufesceuti-brunneis : corpora 

 reliqno subtiis argentescenti-albo^ plus minusve brunneo lavato^ corporis lateribus brunneis : rostro 

 cyanescenti-cinereo, culmine nigricante : pedibus pallide olivascentibus^ supra flavicante lavatis^ un- 

 guibus cyanescentibus : iride argentescenti-cana. 



Adult male. Crown and tipper sides of the head blacky with numerous white hair-like filaments having the 

 appearance of pencilled markings ; hind neck and all the upper parts dark olivaceous brown^ margined 

 on the back with paler brown^ and glossed with green ; lower sides of head_, throaty and fore neck dusky 

 brown ; the cheeks pencilled with white^ but not so thickly as on the crown ; upper part of breast dark 

 rufous brown; underparts of the body silvery white^ stained on the sides and flanks with dusky brown; 

 soft downy plumage at the lower extremities dull sooty brown. Irides silvery grey; bill bluish grey^ 

 shading to black on the ridge; feet light olive^ marked with yellow on their upper surface^ olive-brown 

 below^ the claws pale blue. Total length 12 inches; extent of wings 19; wing^ from flexure^ 5; bill, 

 along the ridge 1, along the edge of lower mandible 1*25; tarsus 1*5; longest toe and claw 2*1; 



hind toe and claw *5. 



Female. In the female the pencilled markings on the head are not quite so distinct^ and the rufous colouring 

 on the breast is somewhat paler ; but in other respects the sexes are alike. 



Young, The following is the description of a young Dabchick in a transitional condition — that is to say, 

 after it has ceased to be a nestling, but before it is fully fledged. On close examination a beautiful deve- 

 lopment exhibits itself: the body is covered with real feathers; but they are largely fringed with fine 

 down, for the purpose of imparting greater warmth^ and the whole of the plumage is soft and silky to 

 the touch. The head is handsomely marked, the crown being blackish brown varied with rufous; sides 

 of the head and throat fulvous white traversed with marbled veins of dusky black ; hind part of neck 

 varied with dull rufous; upper surface and sides of the body dusky brown; breast pale buff; abdomen 

 yellowish white; bill dark brown; feet olivaceous yellow, with grey margins. 



First year's plumage. Head black, variegated on the crown with bright ferruginous, and marked on the 



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