G. galeata, show that the differences between the alleged two species are much 

 smaller than supposed by the original describer of G. sandvicensis. 



"Dr. Streets (11. cc.) sums up the distinctive characters as follows : — ' [1] The greater 

 extent of the frontal plate, [2] the shorter wing, [3] the absence of white on the 

 abdomen and [4] on the under surface of the wing, as well as its reduction to a mere 

 trace on the margin of the latter, [5] the more robust and different form of the 

 tarsus, being broader and more rounded in front, [6] as well as the great difference in 

 the colour of the tarsus, are characters which separate it immediately from G. galeata, 

 and render its identification easy.' 



" (1) There are numerous American specimens in the collection before me which have 

 just as large frontal shields as the Hawaiian birds, and some have it even larger. 



" (2) It will be seen from the table of measurements given below that there is no 

 difference whatsoever in regard to dimensions or proportions, No. 84683, from Florida, 

 being, in fact, nearly identical with the type of G. sandvicensis in these respects. I 

 should remark that the American specimens were picked up at random for measuring, 

 except the last one, a young male, which was selected as being the largest of the 

 whole series before me, and the only one with the wing longer than the second 

 Hawaiian specimen. 



" (3) The absence or presence of white on the abdomen is simply due to season, 

 the type of G. sandvicensis being without white markings, while both the birds 

 collected by Mr. Knudsen have them. Both styles are well matched by American 

 birds. 



" (4) Also in regard to the scarcity of white on the lining of the wing the Hawaiian 

 specimens are completely matched. 



"(5) The tarsus is of the same length in both forms, as shown by the table below. 

 As to robustness and different form, I can only state that I am unable to discover any 

 tangible difference. 



" (6) There remains only the difference in the colour of the tarsus, which is said to 

 be, in the Hawaiian bird, of ' a decided crimson blush on the front ; ' while in the 

 American form the tarsus is uniformly ' yellowish green.' I am, however, somewhat 

 doubtful as to the stability and value of this character; for in No. 110026 there is 

 every indication of the tarsus having been green like the toes, and not red like the 

 lower end of the tibia. 



" A very careful comparison with numerous American specimens fails to reveal any 

 other differences, except, possibly, a somewhat deeper shade of plumbeous on the 

 lower parts. 



" It seems, therefore, that there are no characters upon which to base a specific sepa- 

 ration ; and were it not that the difference in regard to the color of the tarsus may 

 hold good in the majority of specimens, I should be disinclined to regard the Hawaiian 

 bird as even subspecifically distinct. 



" The Gallinule is probably a comparatively recent immigrant to the islands from the 

 American continent, as shown by the very small amount of differentiation, for the 



