Obdek GRALL.fi.] [Fam. SCOLOPACID.E. 



GALLINAGO A UCILANDIC A. 



(AUCKLAND-ISLAND SNIPE.) 



Gallinago aucMandica, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 13, pi. 13 (1844). 

 Scolopax holmesi, Peale, U. S. Expl. Exp. viii. p. 229 (1848). 

 Ccenocorypha aucMandica, Gray, Cat. Gen. of B. p. 119 (1855). 

 Gallinago pusilla, Buller, Ibis, 1869, p. 41. 



Ad. supra ochraceo-fulvescens : pileo rufescenti-brunneo, plumis medialiter nigris : linea verticali et supercilio 

 latisshno stramineis : collo postico magis fulvescente, plumis medialiter nigris : dorso rufescenti- 

 brunneo, plumis nigro irregulariter macidatis aut veriniculatis, scapularibus et dorsi plumis quibusdam 

 stramineo marginatis : tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus : remigibus pallide brunneis, secundariis 

 dorso concoloribus et eodum modo nigro macidatis et extus late stramineo limbatis : cauda brunnea, 

 rectricibus centralibus rufescente variis, exterioribus pallide cinerascentibus medialiter saturatioribus : 

 facie laterali straminea, brunneo minute triquetre maculata, linea per oculum ducta paullo saturatiore : 

 subtiis fulvescens, gula et abdomine immaculatis : gutture hno, pectore superiore et laterali cum crisso 

 rufescenti-brunneis, plumis saturatiore brunneo aut triquetre medialiter notatis, aut transversim 

 vermiculatis : subalaribus cinerascenti-brunneis : rostro grisescenti-corneo : pedibus pallide brunneis : 

 iride nigra. 



Adult. Crown of the head rufous brown, varied with dark brown, and with a narrow fulvous line down the 

 middle ; forehead and cheeks fulvous white, the former with an upward median streak of brown ; from 

 • the base of the upper mandible to the anterior edge of the eyes a dull streak of the same ; upper surface 

 dark rufous brown, variegated with irregular spots of fulvous and black, especially on the back and 

 scapulars, each feather being margined outwardly with pale fulvous, and marked with a large subtermi- 

 nal spot of black ; underparts of the body pale fulvous, the breast obscurely spotted, the sides and 

 flanks varied with crescentic marks of rufous brown. Iridcs black ; bill greyish brown ; tarsi and toes 

 pale brown. Length 8'5 inches; extent of wings 13; wing, from flexure, 4; tail 1*5 ; bill, along the 

 ridge, 2 ; tarsus - 85 ; middle toe and claw 1*1 j hind toe and claw 3. 



In 1868 I received from Dr. Hector a small Snipe collected by Mr. Charles Traill during a visit 

 to the Chatham Islands, the specimen being accompanied by the following memorandum : — 

 " Found on a small rocky islet off Chatham Island." A second specimen, in no way differing 

 from the first, and obtained in the same locality, was deposited by that gentleman in the Colonial 

 Museum. On comparing these birds with Mr. Gray's description of Gallinago aucMandica, I 

 concluded that the species was a distinct one, and characterized it accordingly (I. c.) as Gallinago 

 pusilla. Captain Hutton and Mr. Kirk have since recorded its occurrence in the Gulf of 

 Hauraki, near Auckland ; and Mr. Henry Travers has recently brought further examples from the 

 Chatham Islands. 



Having brought with me to England one of Mr. Traill's original specimens, and carefully 



