Okbee PYGOPODES.] 
PODICEPS EUFIPECTUS. 
(NEW-ZEALAND DABCHICK.) 
[Eam. PODICIPEDIDiE. 
Podiceps {Poliocephalus) rujipectus. Gray, in DiefF. Trav. ii., App. p. 198 (1843). 
Podiceps rujipectus. Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terror, Birds, p. 17, pi. 16 (1844). 
Native names. 
Weweia, Totokipio, Taihoropi (Hokianga), and Taratimoho (Waikato). 
Ad. supra nigricans vix viridi nitens, interscapulii plumis scapularibusque pallide brunneo marginatis : pileo 
nuehaque sordide clialybeo-nigris, facie et collo lateralibus brunneis, genis et pilei lateribus filamentis 
pilosis albidis ornatis ; tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus : remigibus cinerascenti-brunneis, secundariis 
conspicue ad basin albis : gula brunnea : jugulo et pectore anteriore rufescenti-brunneis : corpore reliquo 
subtbs argentescenti-albo, plus minusve brunneo lavato, corporis lateribus brunneis : rostro cyanescenti- 
cinereo, culmine nigricante : pedibus pallide olivascentibus, supra flavicante lavatis, unguibus cyanescentibus 
iride argentescenti-cand,. 
Adult male. Crown and ujjper sides of the bead black, with numerous white hair-like filaments having the 
appearance of pencilled markings ; hind neck and all the upper parts dark olivaceous brown, margined on 
the back with paler brown, and glossed with green ; lower sides of head, throat, and fore neck dusky brown ; 
the cheeks pencilled with white, but not so thickly as on the crown ; upper part of breast dark rufous 
brown ; underparts of the body silvery white, stained on the sides and flanks with dusky brown ; soft downy 
plumage at the lower extremities dull sooty brown. Irides silvery grey ; bill bluish grey, shading to black 
on the ridge ; feet light olive, marked with yellow on their upper surface, olive-brown below, the claws pale 
blue. Total length 12 inches; extent of wings 19; wing, from flexure, 5; bill, along the ridge 1, along 
the edge of lower mandible 1'25 ; tarsus 1‘5; longest toe and claw 2T j hind toe and claw '5. 
Female. In the female the pencilled markings on the head are not quite so distinct, and the rufous colouring 
on the breast is somewhat paler ; but in other respects the sexes are alike. 
Young. The following is the description of a young Dabchick in a transitional condition — that is to say, after 
it has ceased to be a nestling, but before it is fully fledged. On close examination a beautiful development 
exhibits itself : the body is covered with real feathers ; but they are largely fringed with fine down, for the 
purpose of imparting greater waianth, and the whole of the plumage is soft and silky to the touch. The 
head is handsomely marked, the crown being blackish brown varied with rufous ; sides of the head and throat 
fulvous white traversed with marbled veins of dusky black; hind part of neck varied with dull rufous; upper 
surface and sides of the body dusky brown ; breast pale buff ; abdomen yellowish white ; bill dark brown; 
feet olivaceous yellow, with grey margins. 
First year’s plumage. Head black, variegated on the crown with bright ferruginous, and marked on the sides 
with two broad streaks of bufly white, one commencing above the eye and passing round to the occiput, the 
other extending from the angle of the mouth down the side of the neck ; throat and neck yellowish buff 
streaked with black ; upper parts and sides of the body dusky black, indistinctly mottled with fulvous ; 
breast and abdomen bufly white. Bill dark brown, crossed in the middle and near the tip with dull 
black bars. 
Progress towards maturity. The head becomes dark brown, the facial streaks described above gradually disap- 
