Oedee GEALL^.] 
[Fa-u. EALLID*E. 
OCYDEOMUS AUSTEALIS. 
(SOUTH-ISLAND WOODHEN.) 
Troglodyte Rail, Lath. Gen. Syn. v. p. 229 (1785). 
Rallus australis, Sparrm. Mus. Carls, t. 14 (1786). 
Rallus troglodytes, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 713 (1788). 
Ocydromiis troglodytes, Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 98 (1830). 
Ocydromus australis, Strickl. Ann. N. H. vii. p. 39 (1841). 
Native name. — Weka. 
Ad. supr^ Isete stramineus, dorsi plumis medialiter brunneis, quasi late striatis : pileo saturatiorej magis rufesceute : 
supercilio distincto sordide albicantej postice ciuereo : facie laterali brunnea vis cinerascentc : geuis et 
gutture toto dare et pallide einereis : scapularibus Isetb stramineisj medialiter bruuuescentibus et irregu- 
lariter saturate brunneo transfasciatis : alis et cauda rufis^ straminco marginatisj nigro irregulariter trans- 
fasciatisj secundariis magis stramineo lavatis, dorso concoloribus : pcctore superiore aurantiaco-fulvo, 
laterali stramineo, plumis medialiter brunnescentibus ; pectore medio ciuereo lavato : abdomiue ciuerasceuti- 
olivaceo : bypochondriis et subcaudalibus stramineis, brunneo vel nigro transfasciatis : subalaribus oliva- 
scentibus, imis rufescentibus nigro transfasciatis : rostro brunneo, versus basin rufesceute : pedibus pallide 
coccineis : iride laete rufescenti-bruniiea. 
Adult male. Upper parts generally yellowish buff, varied on the back with a broad dash of black down the 
centre of each feather, and on the scapulars and wing-coverts with irregular transverse markings of reddish 
brown and black ; crown of the head and nape rufous brown varied with black ; the primaries with their 
superior coverts and the secondaries bright rufous, beautifully marked with regular transverse bars of black ; 
the tail-feathers dark rufous barred and margined with black, and edged near the base with fulvous ; upper 
part of chin, and a line from the base of the upper mandible passing over the eyes, dull greyish white ; lores 
and region of the ears dull rufous brown ; throat and sides of the head cinereous grey ; sides of the neck, 
the whole of the fore neck, and upper part of breast bright fulvous, obscurely marked and shaded with 
brown; lower part of breast, and the whole of the abdomen, cinereous brown, varied more or less with grey, 
especially on the former ; the soft plumage covering the tibiae pale umber ; sides of the body, flanks, and 
under tail-coverts yellowish brown, conspicuously barred all over w'ith brownish black. Irides bright reddish 
brown ; bill pale reddish brown at the base, brown at the tip ; tarsi and toes pale lake-J’ed, claws brown. 
Total length 24 inches; extent of wings 24 ; wing, from flexure, 8 ; tail 7 ; bill, along the ridge 1-75, along 
theedge of lower mandible 2; tarsus 2‘75; middle toe and claw 3'2o ; hind toe and claw 1‘25. 
Female. Smaller than the male, with darker plumage and duller-coloured legs. Total length 21 inches ; extent 
of wings 21 ; wing, from flexure, 7 ; tail 5'5 ; bill, along the ridge 1’75, along the edge of lower mandible 2 ; 
tarsus 2'2o ; middle toe and claw 2’ 75 ; hind toe and claw 1. 
Young. In immature birds the tints of the plumage generally are lighter, the transverse markings are less 
distinct, and the colours of the bill and legs are paler ; the irides are dark brown ; there is less rufous on 
the head, and often considerably more of the cinereous grey colour on the breast and abdomen. 
Chick. Covered with thick but soft tawny-brown down, which changes to smoky brown as the chick gets older 
darker on the sides of the face. 
