Order GRALLJ3.] [Fam. RALLIDjE. 



OCYDKOMUS AUSTEALIS. 



(SOUTH-ISLAND WOODHEN.) 



Troglodyte Bail, Lath. Gen. Syn. v. p. 229 (1785). 

 Ballus australis, Sparrm. Mus. Carls. 1. 14 (1786). 

 Balhis troglodytes, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 713 (1788). 

 Ocydromus troglodytes, Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 98 (1830). 

 Oeydromus australis, Strickl. Ann. N. H. vii. p. 39 (1841). 

 Ocydromus brachypterus, Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1842, pi. 42. 



Native name. — Weka. 



Ad. supra leete stramineus, dorsi plumis medialiter brunneis, quasi late striatis : pileo saturatiore, magis 

 rufescente : supercilio distincto sordide albicante, postice cinereo : facie laterali brunnea vix cineras- 

 cente : genis et gutture toto clare et pallide cinereis : scapularibus lsete stramineis, medialiter brunnes- 

 centibus et irregulariter saturate brunneo transfasciatis : alis et cauda rufis, stramineo marginatis, nigro 

 irregulariter transfasciatis, secundariis magis stramiueo lavatis, dorso coucoloribus : pectore superiore 

 aurantiaco-fulvo, laterali stramineo, plumis medialiter brunnescentibus : pectore medio cinereo lavato : 

 abdomine cinerascenti-olivaceo : bypocbondriis et subcaudalibus stramineis, brunneo vel nigro trans- 

 fasciatis : subalaribus olivascentibus, imis rufescentibus nigro transfasciatis : rostro brunneo, versus 

 basin rufescente : pedibus pallide coccineis : iride lsete rufescenti-brunnea. 



Adult male. Upper parts generally yellowish buff, varied on the back with a broad dash of black down the 

 centre of each feather, and on the scapulars and wing-coverts with irregular transverse markings of 

 reddish brown and black ; crown of the head and nape rufous brown varied with black ; the primaries 

 with their superior coverts and the secondaries bright rufous, beautifully marked with regular transverse 

 bars of black ; the tail-feathers dark rufous barred and margined with black, and edged near the base 

 with fulvous ; upper part of chin, and a line from the base of the upper mandible passing over the eyes, 

 dull greyish white ; lores and region of the ears dull rufous brown ; throat and sides of the head 

 cinereous grey ; sides of the neck, the whole of the fore neck, and upper part of breast bright fulvous, 

 obscurely marked and shaded with brown ; lower part of breast, and the whole of the abdomen, cine- 

 reous brown, varied more or less with grey, especially on the former ; the soft plumage covering the 

 tibia pale umber; sides of the body, flanks, and under tail-coverts yellowish brown, conspicuously 

 barred all over with brownish black. Irides bright reddish brown ; bill pale reddish brown at the base, 

 brown at the tip ; tarsi and toes pale lake-red, claws brown. Total length 24 inches ; extent of 

 wings 24; wing, from flexure, 8 ; tail 7 ; bill, along the ridge T75, along the edge of lower mandible 

 2 ; tarsus 2 - 75 ; middle toe and claw 3'25 ; hind toe and claw T25. 



Female. Smaller than the male, with darker plumage and duller-coloured legs. Total length 21 inches; 

 extent of wings 21; wing, from flexure, 7; tail 5 - 5 ; bill, along the ridge l - 75, along the edge of lower 

 mandible 2 ; tarsus 2"25; middle toe and claw 2"75 ; hind toe and claw 1. 



