YiNSCB..— On New Zealand Ornithology. 59 



To give an example : the question concerning Falco novce-zealandicE, and 

 whetlier this species does not in reality include several others, remains with, 

 out a satisfactory solution (1).* Here, as in many other instances, the 

 author has failed to produce conclusive evidence, or close observations on 

 the habits {freilehen) of the birds, so much required. 



In this^respect there remain open to his zeal and to his acknowledged 

 power of observation a wide field of discovery, and the task of placing such 

 matters beyond dispute. And let us hope that our knowledge of the orni- 

 thology of Mr. BuUer's adopted country will yet progress as we desire, and 

 many a gap be filled up. 



The merit of describing in detail the species already known to science? 

 and in particular with respect to the change caused by age or season of the 

 year, is far greater than the superficial description of new species. 



To his determined adherence to Grray's catalogue of the year 1862 may 

 be chiefly attributed the blame that so many species, which have not been 

 proved to be distinct up to the present time, remain undetermined ; whilst, 

 on the other hand, the catalogue has been increased by a few new discoveries 

 made during the last few years. The total number of New Zealand birds — 

 of which I append a catalogue at the end of this paper — is now estimated at 

 about 141. Of these, eight species remain doubtful. 



Moreover, as regards the general remarks of the author, they require in 

 some instances additions, in others corrections ; for in my opinion all the 

 principal characteristics of the ornithology of New Zealand have not yet 

 been described. And, further, the author does not appear to be well in- 

 formed on the geographical distribution of some species ; for instance, the 

 Waders and Sioimmers. 



The remarkable distribution of some birds, comparatively speaking, 

 spread north and south in species so nearly connected, is by no means an 

 isolated instance, but is met with everywhere, only the fact is more observ- 

 able in insulated zones (2). It would be premature to lay down any 

 exact rule on the subject from the few instances mentioned by the author. 

 A better acquaintance with the birds of New Zealand will prove, doubtless, 

 that they spread wider over their confined territory than appears from 

 Mr. Buller's quoted examples. 



The fact that the avifauna of New Zealand, of which we now take into 

 consideration only existing species, is very peculiar, has not received from 

 Mr. BuUer the consideration which it deserves. More than half (eighty) of 

 the species are indigenous, and of the sixty-four species of land birds, there 

 are only eight that have a wider range. But more remarkable still is the 



* The. numerals in parentheses refer to Mr. Buller's notes in reply {vide Art. VI.) 



