286 HIMANTOPUS. 



Geographi- The Black Stilt is a resident of New Zealand ; its alleged occurrence in Australia 



cal distribu- , , . rn ■ , ■ ^ 



tion. appears to rest on insutncient evidence. 



The approach of its winter plumage towards the adult dress of the Australian Stilt 



proves the close relationship of the two species ; and the fact that the young in first plumage 



have the swollen joint between the tibia and the tarsus, so conspicuous in the young of 



(Edicnemus, points to its affinity with the birds of that genus. 



^"'^"g- Young in first plumage only diifer from the same dress of II. leucocephalus in having 



dark brown axillaries, and dark outer webs to the tail-feathers. 



Potts leraarks that in the South Island of New Zealand this bird breeds on the sandy 



river-beds. 



* ^* Aberrant Stilt. 



HIMANTOPUS ANDINUS. 



PEBLVUN STILT. 



Diagnosis. Himantopus secundariis omnino nigris : halluce parvo. 



Variations. ^HE very limited range of this species precludes the possibility of local races being formed. 



