Oedek ANSEEES.] 
[Eam. ANATIDAE. 
CASAECA VAEIEGATA. 
(NEW-ZEALAND SHELDRAKE.) 
Variegated Goose, Lath. Gen. Hist. hi. pt. 2, p. 441 (1785). 
Anas variegata, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 505 (1788, ex Lath.). 
CasarJca castanea, Eyton, Monogr. Anat. p. 108, pi. 10 (1838). 
Casarca variegata, Gray, in DiefF. Trav. ii., App. p. 198 (1843). 
Anas cheneros, Forst. Descr. Anim. p. 92 (1844). 
Anser variegata, Ellman, Zool. 1861, p. 7471. 
Native names. 
Putangitangi ; Putakitaki in the South Island ; “ Paradise Duck ” of the colonists. 
cf pileo nndique et cervice virescenti-nigerrimis : collo undique nigricante, ochraceo vermiculatim vario : dorso 
saturate cinerascenti-fusco, plumis omnibus albido transvermiculatis, plumis castaneis absentibus : dorso 
postico nigricante obscure albido transvermiculato : uropygio et supracaudalibus purpurascenti-nigris : 
remigibus nigris, minoribus extiis pulcberrime viridibus, secundariis extfis Isete castaneis, inths cinereis, 
versus apicem albo vermiculatis : caudii nigrfi, : corpore subtus reliquo cinerascenti-fusco, albido trans- 
versim vermiculato : abdomine medio castaneo obscure nigro transfasciato : subalaribus albis, imis cinera- 
scentibus, marginalibus paullo nigricante vermiculatis : rostro plumbescenti-nigro : pedibus et hide nigris. 
$ mari dissimilis : supr^i fuscus, plumis fulvescente vel albido transversim vermiculatis, quibusdam castaneis ant 
eodem modo vermiculatis vel omninb unicoloribus : dorso postico nigricante obscure albido transvermiculato : 
dorso postico et uropygio, alis et cauda ut in mari coloratis : pileo undique et cervice pure albis : corpore 
subtbs castaneo, plumis quibusdam nigricantibus fulvescente ant albido transvermiculatis : abdomine medio 
saturate castaneo, nigro transfasciato : subcaudalibus Isetius castaneis : subalaribus nt in mari coloratis. 
Adult male. Head and greater portion of neck black, with bluisli-green reflexions j neck below and fore part 
of breast rich dark brown, minutely spotted or freckled with pale rufous j back and scapulars, as well as the 
lower part of the breast, sides of the body and flanks black, mottled and marked with wavy lines or vermi- 
culations of white j on the sides and flanks the vermiculation is very distinct, and adds much to the beauty 
of the plumage ; the rest of the underparts dark rufous spotted and barred with black ; under tail-coverts 
bright ferruginous with darker stains ; the whole of the wing-coverts pure white ; the primaries glossy black, 
lighter on their under surface ; the lesser quills shining green on their exposed webs, dusky and margined 
with white on their inner, forming a large, bright speculum ; the four inner secondaries have their outer 
webs rufous, becoming paler towards the tips, and their inner webs dark cinereous, freckled more or less 
with white. The contrast of colours described above gives the upper surface of the wings a very beautiful 
appearance when partially spread ; the under surface or lining of the wings is pure white. Irides and bill 
black ; legs greyish black. Total length 24 inches ; extent of wings 47 j wing, from flexure, 14‘5 ; tail 6 ; 
bill, along the ridge 1'75, along the edge of lower mandible 2 ; tarsus 2’75 ; middle toe and claw 2'75 j. 
hind toe and claw ‘6. 
Obs. In some examples (probably immature birds) the middle tail-feathers are terminally margined with pale 
brown, and the lateral ones vermiculated at the tips with white. 
Aduli female. Head and greater portion of neck pure white ; lower part of neck, breast, and sides of the body 
