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BOWDLERIA RUFESCENS (BULLER). 



(Plate 5, Fig. 3.) 



Sphenoeacus rufescens Buller, Ibis 1869, p. 38. 



Megalurus rufescens Gray Hand-1. B. I, p. 206. No. 2913. (1869.) 



BULLER'S original description is as follows: "Upper parts, sides, and 

 tail dark rufous brown, brightest on the crown and hind-neck ; the 

 feathers of the shoulders and sides centred with black. Quills 

 dusky black, margined with rufous brown. Streak over the eye, throat, 

 breast and abdomen pale fawn colour; sides of the head and ear-coverts 

 marked with black. Bill light brown with the ridge black, feet dark brown." 

 Buller's type probably had been preserved in spirit, as the colouration of 

 fresh specimens is very different to his description. The general colour above 

 and on the flanks chestnut rufous, most feathers with darker or black centres; 

 chin, throat, breast and abdomen pure white; crissum and under tail-coverts 

 whity buff or buffy brown. Wing 2-6 inches, tail 39 inches, culmen 0-65 inch." 

 Habitat: Chatham Islands. 



Cats, rats and weasels have exterminated this fine species, which is 

 now quite extinct. Messrs. Travers and Dannefaerd have supplied the 

 specimens in most colonial museums, while Henry Palmer collected the 14 

 at Tring. A few in Liverpool and two in the British Museum are all known 

 to me in Europe, in addition to those at Tring. 



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