Order PICAEI^E.] [Fast. TJPTJPID.E. 



HETERALOCHA ACUTIBOSTBIS. 



(HUIA.) 



Neomorpha acutirostris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 144 (2). 

 Neomorpha crassirostris, Gould, P. Z. S. 1836, p. 145 (<5). 

 Neomorpha goulcli, Gray, List of Gen. of B. p. 15 (1841). 

 Heteraloclia goulcli, Cab. Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 218 (1850). 



Native name. — Huia. 



6 undique sericeo-niger, sub certa luce obscure viridi nitens : Cauda, conspicue albo terminate : pileo caruu- 

 culis magnis rotundatis lsete auraiitiacis utrinque ad basin mandibular positis ornato : rostro valido, 

 eburneo, versus basin cinereo : pedibus cinereis, unguibus corneis. 



$ mari similis, sed rostro longo valde decurvato semper distinguenda. 



Adult. Tbe whole of tbe plumage is black, with a green metallic gloss ; the tail with a broad terminal band 

 of white. Bill ivory-white, darkening to blackish grey at the base. Wattles large, rounded, and of a 

 rich orange-colour in the living bird. Tarsi and toes bluish grey; claws light horn-colour. 



Male. Length 18-75 inches; extent of wings 22 - 5 ; wing, from flexure, 8 ; tail7'5; bill, along the ridge, 2" 75, 

 along the edge of lower mandible 2"75 ; tarsus 3 ; middle toe and claw 2 - 5 ; hind toe and claw 2. 



Female. Length 19 - 5 inches ; extent of wings 21 ; wing, from flexure, 7 - 5 ; tail 7 - 25 ; bill, along the ridge, 4, 

 along the edge of lower mandible 4'12; tarsus 3 ; middle toe and claw 2'25 ; hind toe and claw 1*75. 



Obs. In some examples the white at the end of the tail is tinged more or less with rufous, while in others 

 the under tail-coverts are tipped with white. It should be noted also that the brightness of the fleshy 

 wattles depends, in some measure, on the health or condition of the bird ; for during sickness they 

 change to lemon-yellow. A recently killed specimen weighed 14| oz. The palate and soft parts of 

 the throat are bright yellow. The tongue is horny at the tip, bifurcate, and furnished with minute 

 barbs. 



This is another of those anomalous forms belonging exclusively to New Zealand. Much differ- 

 ence of opinion has existed as to its proper position in our artificial system ; but, till we have 

 some more complete knowledge of its affinities, I am content to leave it among the ZPpwpidce. It 

 may ultimately prove to be the type of a distinct family ; but that it possesses strong affinities 

 to the Hoopoes is undeniable ; and I have been much struck with the close similarity of some of 

 its habits to those of the common U_pupa epops as recently observed by myself in Egypt. 



On the peculiarities of its osteological structure I have been favoured with some valuable 

 notes by Prof. Newton, which will be found embodied in the General Introduction to the present 

 work. 



