110 Transactions. — Zoology. 



C. m.odestus is a smaller l.)ircl than 7^. cUeffenhachii, while the bills of the two 

 are of nearly the same length ; but in all Rails the legs and feet attain the fall 

 size very early, and long before the bill acquires its full length. R. dieffenbachii 

 is also closely related in colour and form to B. 2>ectoralis, while the skeleton of 

 C modestus differs largely from that of R. pectoralis. It is needless to pursue 

 the subject further, but I must say that it is much to be regretted that the 

 skin of C. modestus, which is one of the most curious of New Zealand bii'ds, 

 should have been sent to Dr. Buller, in England, on purpose that it might be 

 figured, and that it has been returned to New Zealand with the remark that 

 it is the young of a bird already figured in his book, and without its having 

 been submitted to Dr. Finsch, who, as Dr. Buller is aware^ is engaged on a 

 book on the birds of New Zealand. 



Art. XXIY. — Notes on the New Zealand Wood-hens (Ocydroiniis). 

 By Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. 

 [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Sockty, 22nd September, 1873.] 

 1. — 0. t7-oglodytes, Gml. 



The distinguishing marks of this species are its large size, the general 

 olivaceous tint of its plumage, the middle tail-feathers having generally a 

 black streak down the shaft, and the primary feathers of the wing tapering 

 towards the point. 





Wing. 



Tail. 



Culmen. 



Height of 



bill 

 at base. 



Tarsus. 



Middle toe, 



without 



claw. 



Male 



. 7-8 



4-8 



2-0 



•83 



2-5 



2-4 



Female . . 



. 6-7 



44 



1-7 



•7 



2-1 



2-15 



2. — 0. hectori, sp. nov. 



In size and style of colouring this bird resembles 0. troglodytes, but its 

 bill is more robust, its general hue is isabella brown, or fawn-coloured ; the 

 primary feathers of the wing are rounded at the tip, and the brown bands on 

 the webs are very narrow, sometimes becoming obsolete. The tail is coloured 

 as in 0. troglodytes. 



Wing. 



Tail. 



Culmen. 



Height of 



bill 

 at base. 



Tarsus. 



Middle toe, 



without 



claw. 



7-8 



4-8 



2-2 



•93 



2-3 



2-2 



Male 



This species is described from a single specimen only, and more must be 

 obtained before we can feel sure whether it should stand as a separate species, 

 or only as a sub-species of 0. troglodytes. The specimen was obtained by 

 Mr. Morton, near the Te Anau Lake, in Otago. 



