584 SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. [AveS. 



Earn. MERGANETTIDAE. 



Hymenolaimus, Gray, 1843. 



Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus, Gmelin. (Blue duck.) 



Anas malacorhynchos, Gmelin, Syst. Nat., ed. xiii, i, 1788, p. 526. 



The authority for the inclusion of this species in the Auckland Island fauna is 

 Captain J. Bollons, of the " Hinemoa," a keen and careful observer. In February, 

 1883, he saw five blue ducks together at Hanfield Inlet, on the east coast, but has 

 not seen a single example since, and no member of our expedition was more for- 

 tunate. 



Hab. — New Zealand and Auckland Islands, 



Fam. MERGIDAE. 



Mbeganser, Brisson, 1760. 



Merganser australis, Hombron and Jacquinot. (Southern merganser.) 



Mergus australis, Hombron and Jacquinot, Ann. Sci. Nat., 1841, p. 320. 



A sharp look-out was kept along the shores of the Auckland Islands for this 

 bird, but it was not recorded as having been seen. This is less remarkable when, 

 as Captain Bollons later told me, he had not seen the bird on the coast, but had found 

 it occasionally at the head of the estuaries, and especially on the inland watercourses. 



As mentioned in my report on the fishes, the supposed littoral habit of the bird 

 led the late Captain F. W. Hutton to infer that Galaxias hollansi was a marine species, 

 a supposition I have shown to be erroneous. 



Hab. — Auckland Islands. 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



I saw thrushes {Turdus musicus) and blackbirds (T. merula) at the Snares ; 

 also a nest of the latter containing eggs. Nests and eggs of the blackbird were found 

 at Terror Cove, in the Auckland Islands. 



A momentary glance of two birds at the Snares led me to think they were linnets 

 [Linota cannabina), and a description supplied by Mr. G. R,. Marriner, who watched 

 three birds, sapports my belief. 



Mr. Marriner was informed that Mr. Nicholson had seen the following birds 

 on Campbell Island : House-sparrow {Passer domesticus), hedge-sparrow (? Accentor 

 modularis), linnet, and that flocks of starlings {Sturnus vulgaris) were to be met with 

 on Mount Honey. Mr. Marriner saw birds which he believed to be linnets, but did 

 not see the others mentioned. 



Dr. C. C. Farr reported having seen two goldfinches {Carduelis elegans) at North 

 Arm, Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands, and stated that there could be no possible 

 doubt on the matter. I may mention that goldfinches are extremely common 

 throughout New Zealand, and, though I doubt the occurrence of the hedge-accentor 

 on Campbell Island, they, in common with a host of other British birds, are quite 

 numerous in Canterbury, and possibly in other parts also. 



