Order GRALK33.] 
[Eam. EALLID^. 
OCYDEOMFS GEEYL 
(NORTH-ISLAND WOODHEN.) 
Ocydromus earli, Duller, Birds of New Zealand, 1st ed. p. 165 (nec G. E. Gray, 1873) *. 
Native name . — Weka. 
Ad. $ rufescenti-fulvus : plumis corporis superioris medialiter nigricantibus, rufescenti-fulvo marginatis : pileo 
summo et collo postico saturate rufescenti-fulvis iudistincte nigro variis : supercilio distincto sordide cinereo, 
parte antic^ fulvescente : facie laterali rufescente, regione parotica fulvo varia : genis cum collo lateral! imo 
et gutture toto sordide cinereis : pectore superiore et laterali rufescente ; corpore reliquo subtus Isetius 
cinereo, liypoehondriis rufescenti-brunneis : rostro brunneo, versus apicem cinerascenti-corneo, culmine 
saturatiore : pedibus pallid^ brunneis : iride rufescenti-brunne^. 
Ad. ? mari similis, sed valde minor et obscurior. 
Adult male. Upper jiarts rufous fulvous, darkest on the crown and nape, each feather shaded with black in the 
centre ; throat, fore neck, a superciliary streak widening outwards and extending to the nape, lower part of 
breast and the abdomen dull cinereous, tinged more or less with rufous ; lores, sides of the head and neck, 
npper part of breast and snrface of wings bright rufous fulvous ; lower part of back, rump, sides of the body, 
and thighs obscure laifous brown ; wing-feathers fuscous black, with rufous-brown edges, the primaries 
banded on their inner vane with bright rufous ; tail-feathers fuscous black, with paler edges ; under tail- 
coverts fuscous, banded with bright rnfous. The feathers of the body are plumbeous at the base, with pure 
white shafts. Irides bright reddish brown ; bill reddish brown, darker on the ridge, and changing to horn- 
grey at the tip ; tarsi and toes pale brown, claws darker. Total length 21 inehes ; extent of wings 22-5 ; 
wing, from flexure, 7‘75 ; tail 4'75 ; bill, along the ridge 2, along the edge of lower mandible 2'25 ; 
tarsus 2‘5 ; middle toe and claw 3 j hind toe and claw 1. 
Adult female. Plumage similar to that of the male, but generally of a darker shade, and with the barred markings 
on the primaries more regular and distinct. It may readily be distinguished by its smaller size. An 
example taken on the nest (with egg and young bird) gave the following measurements : — Length 17 inches ; 
* On the synonymy of this species Professor Hutton has sent mo the following note ; 
“ I am sure that you are right about the identification of Ocydromus earli. I always agreed with you, and I do not under- 
stand how Finsch thinks otherwise. I think the following is about right : — 
“ 1. 0. earli. Gray ; ‘ Ihis,’ 1862, p. 26; also, 0. australis, Q-ray, iUd. in part ; BuUer, ‘ Birds of New Zealand.’ Whether 
or not it is the Kalins rufus of Ellman I have no means of judging. 
“ 2. O.fascus, Dubus; K. troglodytes, Forster, ‘ Deser. An.’ p. 110; K. fuscus, Ellman ? ; Buller, ‘ Birds of New Zealand.’ 
“3. 0. australis, Sparrm. ; Gray, in ‘ Voyage of the Erebus and Terror ’ (young only) ; Buller, ‘ Birds of New Zealand,’ in 
part (not the figure). 
“4. 0. troglodytes, Gvael. ■, 0. australis, Gi&j, ‘ Voyage of the Erebus and Terror’ (adult); and Buller, ‘Birds of New 
Zealand,’ in part, with figure. 
1 doubt 0. hraeliy]}terus, Lafr., being a synonym of either of these. Finsch thinks it is the same as 0. liectori, mihi, 
which is very probable. I have had two specimens of 0. fuscus sent to me from the Waiau district, on the eastern side of the 
Alps the region of 0. finscld, mihi ; so I now think that 0. finsclii is probably only the y'oung of 0. fuscus.” 
I do not admit 0. troglodytes as a species ; my plate in the former edition therefore represents a highly coloured example 
of 0. australis. 
VOL. II. -D 
