12 



3. The Weka [Ocydromus australis) is by no means " the largest kind of rail 

 in New Zealand." The Notornis discovered by Mr. Mantell, in 1850, is more 

 than twice the size of tlie largest weka. Bvit the author contradicts himself 

 by stating, in another place, that the JVotornis Mantelli (Owen) is " the largest 

 known i-ail in the world." 



4. The Land Rail {Rcdlus assimilis) is incorrectly described as a bird " of a 

 ferruginous colour." It closely resembles the banded rail (^a^/ its jt^eciora^is), 

 of Australia, as may be seen by inspecting the numerous examples in the 

 Colonial Museum. 



5. Under the head of FALCONiDJi:, the author places ^^ Falco Novce Zelandice 

 vel Circus GouldiV Two birds belonging to distinct genera are thus associated 

 as synonymes. The description evidently refers to the Harrier [Circus Gouldii). 



6. In treating of the so-called " Night-hawk," the author has confused the 

 nomenclature, for there is no such bird known as Hieracidea Novce Zecdandice 

 Gouldii. 



H. NovcB Zelandice is the Karewarewa, and Circus Goxddii the Kahu., of 

 the natives. 



7. There is no such Owl as Athene alhifrons. The author evidently refers 

 to A. albi/acies, or Whekau of the natives. 



8. Heteraloclm Goiddi, the rare and beautiful Huia. The avithor omits 

 the specific name, and the desci'iption of the bird is outrageously inaccurate. 

 The tail contains twelve feathers, not four as stated ; the bill is ivory white, 

 not "bright yellow." It is the female that has the long, slender, curved bill, 

 and not the male, and vice versa. The legs are black with a tinge of blue on 

 their edges, and not " bright yellow." This bird certainly moves by a succession 

 of hops, but T have failed to detect the resemblance of such movement to 

 "that of the kangaroo." 



9. It is true that the Tui (Prostheiiuidera Novae Zelandioi) becomes 

 extremely fat at certain seasons of the yeai", but I entirely dissent from the 

 assertion, that " when uncomfortably fat it pecks its breast and causes the oil 

 to exude."(!) The account of its breeding habits also is incorrect, viz. : that 

 it breeds three times in the year, laying in September three eggs, in December 

 five, and in March, or autumn, six or seven "pure white eggs." The tui 

 breeds only once a yeai-, and lays generally three, and never more than four, 

 eggs, which are white with obsciire brown markings at the larger end, and 

 minute widely scattered spots. 



10. The Kotihe [Pogonornis cincta) is incorrectly described as having "a tuft 

 of white feathers on either cheek and wing." The male of the species has an 

 erective tuft of snow white feathers on each side of the head, but not on the 

 cheek. There are no " white tufts " on the wings, but the secondary quills at 

 their base, and their coverts, are white. 



11. It is true that the Korimako [Anthornis melanura) has a brush tongue 



