94 



July, 1862), we find this bird mentioned under the name of Characlrius 

 frontalis, witli this very remarkable note : " The bird is represented in the Voyage 

 of the ^Astrolabe,'' with a deformed hill; the hill is perfectly straight in most 

 specimens." Where could the author have met with those specimens with 

 perfectly straight bills'? or rather, which of the waders or plovers passed for 

 the Anarhynchus 2 — perhaps C. hicinctus. 



I have lately had the pleasure of perusing a very interesting pamphlet, 

 On Rare or Little-known Limicolce, by Mr. Hastings, F.L.S., etc., who appeal's 

 to have taken great pains in gathering together all the information he could 

 collect about this pecviliar-looking bird, and also gives a careful description of 

 a specimen, in which he unquestionably makes the best of the slender materials 

 at liis disposal. 



Still, as something like mystification might yet be thought to surround the 

 history of this very interesting species of the large Grallatorial family, I have 

 had much pleasure in presenting to the Museum, specimens of the adult, and 

 also the young bird in the state in which it may be found pi'obably some ten 

 days from the date on which it emerged from the shell. 



These specimens were obtained on the shingly bed of the Eakaia, which is 

 one of the largest of the snow rivers that intersect the Plains of Canterbury. 

 The Anarhynchus, be it understood, is not confined to that locality, in fact it 

 is of frequent occurrence, and may be observed diiring several months of the 

 year at least, near the streams or back-water of almost any of the rivers, which 

 in their course disclose sandy spits and wide areas of shingle. 



With regard to its breeding habits, I am unable to add much to the 

 information which is given in my Notes " On the Birds of New Zealand." 

 — {Trans. JSf. Z. Inst., Vol. ii.) The young, if undisturbed, remain for some 

 time near the spot where they were hatched ; to escape observation they lie 

 concealed behind stones, etc. ; should an attemjpt be made to molest them, they 

 start ofi" with considerable celerity, uttering, at the same time, a shrill piping 

 cry of alarm. When hard pressed, they take to the water ; we have known 

 them to cross a stream of considerable volume. The parent birds never appear 

 to separate far from each other during the period of incubation ; on being 

 disturbed, they exhibit a peculiar habit of partially extending the wings, the 

 effect of which is that they assume a broad and flattened appearance across the 

 back, the head at the time being carried very low, the bill just clearing the 

 ground, whilst a low purring sound is emitted. So tame does the Anarhynchus 

 become under the influence of parental instinct, that after eggs have been 

 picked up, examined, and replaced on their unsheltered sandy bed, I have 

 seen the old bird immediately resume her duty of incubation, although I may 

 have removed but a few paces distant and remained in sight for some 

 time. 



Having thus glanced at the favourite habitat, etc., of the Crook-billed 



