Order ANSERES.] [Fam. PODICIPID^. 



PODICEPS RI7FIPECTUS. 



(NEW-ZEALAND DABCHICK.) 



Podiceps {Poliocephalus) rufipectus, Gray, in Dieff. Trav. ii., App. p. 198 (1843). 

 Podiceps rvfipectus, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., Birds, p. 17, pi. 16 (1844). 



Native names. — Weweia and Totokipio. 



Ad. supra nigricans vix viridi nitens, interscapulii plumis scapularibusque pallide brunneo marginatis : pileo 

 nuchaque sordide chalybeo-nigris, facie et collo lateralibus brunneis, genis et pilei lateribus filamentis 

 pilosis albidis ornatis : tectricibns alarum dorso concoloribus : remigibus cinerascenti-brunneis, secun- 

 dariis conspicue ad basin albis : gula brunnea : jugulo et pectore anteriore rufescenti-brunneis : corpore 

 reliquo subtus argentescenti-albo, plus minusve brunneo lavato, corporis lateribus brunneis : rostro 

 cyanescenti-cinereo, culmine nigricante : pedibus pallide olivascentibus, supra, flavicante lavatis, un- 

 guibus cyanescentibus : iride argentescenti-cana. 



Adult male. Crown and upper sides of the head black, with numerous white hair-like filaments having the 

 appearance of pencilled markings ; hind neck and all the upper parts dark olivaceous brown, margined 

 pn the back with paler brown, and glossed with green ; lower sides of head, throat, and fore neck dusky 

 brown ; the cheeks pencilled with white, but not so thickly as on the crown ; upper part of breast dark 

 rufous brown ; underparts of the body silvery white, stained on the sides and flanks with dusky brown ; 

 soft downy plumage at the lower extremities dull sooty brown. Irides silvery grey ; bill bluish grey, 

 shading to black on the ridge ; feet light olive, marked with yellow on their upper surface, olive-brown 

 below, the claws pale blue. Total length 12 inches; extent of wings 19; wing, from flexure, 5; bill, 

 along the ridge 1, along the edge of lower mandible 1*25 ; tarsus l - 5j longest toe and claw 2 - l ; 

 hind toe and claw - 5. 



Female. In the female the pencilled markings on the head are not quite so distinct, and the rufous colouring 

 on the breast is somewhat paler ; but in other respects the sexes are alike, 



Yomg. The following is the description of a young Dabchick in a transitional condition— that is to say, 

 after it has ceased to be a nestling, but before it is fully fledged. On close examination a beautiful deve- 

 lopment exhibits itself: the body is covered with real feathers ; but they are largely fringed with fine 

 down, for the purpose of imparting greater warmth, and the whole of the plumage js soft and silky to 

 .the touch. The head is handsomely marked, the crown being blackish brown varied wijfch rufous ; sides 

 of the head and throat fulvous white traversed with marbled veins of dusky black ; hind part of neck 

 varied with dull rufous; upper surface and sides of the body dusky brown; breast pale bufl'; abdomen 

 vellowish white.; bill dark brown; feet olivaceous yellow, with grey margins. 



ffHrst year's plumage. Head black, variegated on the crown with bright ferruginous, and marked on the 



