Order PASSEEES.] [Fam. SYLVIID^E. 



SPHENGEACUS KUFESCENS. 



(CHATHAM-ISLAND UTICK.) 



Sphenceacus rufescens, Buller, Ibis, 1869, p. 38. 

 Megalurus rufescens, Gray, Hand-1. of B. i. p. 206 (1869). 



Ad. supra saturate castaneus, pileo concolori : dorso paullo fulvescente, plumis late medialiter nigris : tectrici- 

 bus alarum medialiter nigris, dorso concoloribus : remigibus nigris, rufescente limbatis : cauda rufes- 

 cente, subtiis fulvescentiore, scapis pennarum nigris : loris et supercilio distincto fulvescenti-albis : 

 regione parotica saturate Castanet, nigro notata : genis fulvescentibus, nigro maculatis : subtiis fulves- 

 centi-albus, corporis lateribus castaneis nigro striolatis, dorso concoloribus : subalaribus stramineis, 

 rufescente lavatis : rostro corneo, mandibula flavicante : pedibus flavicanti-brunneis : iride nigra. 



Adult. Upper parts dark rufous brown, brightest on tbe crown and hind neck ; streak over the eyes, throat, 

 breast, and abdomen dull rufous white, slightly tinged with yellow on the throat ; sides of the head, ear- 

 coverts, and a series of spots from the base of the lower mandible brownish black ; sides of the body and 

 the flanks bright rufous brown, each feather with a central streak of black ; wing-feathers dusky black, 

 margined on both webs with rufous brown ; the wiug-coverts and the scapularies broadly centred with 

 brownish black ; tail-feathers clear rufous brown, with glossy black shafts, paler on their under surface. 

 Irides black ; bill and feet yellowish brown. Total length 7 - 25 inches ; extent of wings 7 ; wing, from 

 flexure, 2\25 ; tail 4*25 ; bill, along the ridge - 5, along the edge of lower mandible - 7 ; tarsus 1 ; middle 

 toe and claw - 85 ; hind toe and claw "75. 



Note. The figure on the accompanying Plate is taken from the type specimen, which forms part of my 

 collection in the Colonial Museum. 



This well-marked species is confined to the Chatham Islands, where it was first discovered, in 

 1868, by Mr. Charles Traill, a gentleman greatly devoted to conchology. He obtained it on a 

 small rocky isle, lying off the coast of the main island, during an expedition there in pursuit of 

 his favourite branch of science ; but was unable to give me much information respecting its habits 

 or economy, merely stating that he observed it flitting about among the grass and stunted vege- 

 tation, and succeeded in knocking it over with a stone. 



Dr. Hector informs me (by last mail from the colony) that several examples of this species, 

 all from the Chatham Islands, have lately been received at the Colonial Museum. 



s2 



