108 Transactions. — Tioology. 



strongest in tlie upper, and the inner series strongest in the lower, _ and 

 extending to only half the gape. V-shaped patch on vomer. Ventral fin 

 with two first i^ays simj)le, second ray pi^odiiced and equal in length to the 

 head. Caudal rounded, almost continuous with the dorsal and anal. Scales 

 minute, cycloid oblong, width being half the length. No lateral line visible. 

 Colour, in spirit, reddish-brown, imiform, but yellowish beneath. Differs in 

 its proportions and fin-rays from M. pacifica, Schleg. (Giinth., IV., 367), and 

 from M. capensis, Kaup, (Exp. JSTovara, Zool. Theil. Bd., I., 279). 



Collected by Mr. Robinson, Cape Campbell, in November, 1873, 



Total length seven inches. 



Art. XXIII. — On a New Genus of Rallidse. By Capt. F. W. Hutton. 

 PI. XX., figs. 1 and 2. 

 [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, \st Sciitemher, 1873.] 

 In a paper read to this Society last year I described a new species 

 of Rail, from the Chatham Islands, under the name of Rallus ? moclestus 

 (Trans. N.Z. Inst., V., p. 223), at the same time expressing an opinion that 

 it would form the type of a new genus. Since then the skeleton of the other 

 specimen obtained by Mr, H. Travers has been prepared by the late Dr. Knox, 

 and an inspection of this skeleton has so confirmed my previous opinion 

 that I now no longer hesitate to place it in a new genus, of which the 

 following is a diagnosis : — 



Cabalus, gen. nov. 



Bill longer than the head, moderately slender and slightly curved, 

 compressed in the middle and slightly expanding towards the tip ; nostrils 

 placed in a membranous groove which extends beyond the middle of the bill, 

 openings exposed, oval, near the middle of the groove. Wings very short, 

 rounded ; quills soft, the outer webs as soft as the inner, fourth and fifth the 

 longest, first nearly as long as the second ; a short compressed claw at the end 

 of the thumb. Tail very short and soft, hidden by the coverts. Tarsi 

 moderate, shorter than the middle toe, flattened in front, and covered with 

 transverse scales ; toes long and slender, inner nearly as long as the outer ; 

 hind toe short, very slender, and placed on the inner side of the tai'sus ; claws 

 short, compressed, blunt. 



The bird is incapable of flight, and the stomach of the s]iecimen dissected 

 by Dr. Knox contained only the legs and elytra of beetles. 



The skeleton is so very remarkable that I feel compelled to make a few 



