324 
According to the now generally accepted view of what constitutes a “ species,” the amount of 
difference is quite immaterial, provided it be constant and readily distinguishable. If (as is certainly 
the case) all the known examples from the North Island are referable to “var. mantelli (Finsch),” 
then, for all practical purposes, the bird must be regarded as distinct, and is, I submit, as much 
entitled to recognition as any other species on our list. 
taken the trouble to translate, from the German, Dr. Finsch’s last published remarks on this subject in the ‘ Journal flir Orni- 
thologie,’ from which it will be seen that this naturalist is stiU opposed to the recognition of the H orth-Island bird as a distinct 
species ; — 
“ As hitherto I have had no opportunity of examining any reliable specimens from the North Island, it naturally was not 
possible for me to make sure about the value of certain characters. I am indebted now to the kindness of Dr. Duller for two 
specimens from the North Island, so that I am able to make a direct comparison of specimens from both islands. Desides the two 
specimens from the North Island, I have four old birds (two male and two female) and a young one from the South Island before 
me ; also an old one and a half-grown bird, without any definite locality— consequently a total of nine specimens in different stages 
and conditions of age and sex. To refer, in the first place, to the tinge of colour. I had, before this, opportunities of observing 
that in specimens from the South Island the colour is by no means constant, but on the contrary varies from greyish brown to 
rusty-red brown. The latter tone of colour, as is well known, is produced by the terminal third part of the feathers being of that 
shade. Each individual feather is coloured either dark brownish grey or brown, changing gradually towards the tip into rusty 
brown ; the single filaments or barbs of the feathers, which stand far apart from each other, terminate, however, in black hair- 
like tips, which impart to the whole plumage the peculiar bristle-like character. In this fundamental point of colouring the 
specimens from both islands absolutely agree, and the feathers which I have before me, and which have been carcfuUy pulled 
out, do not betray difterences of any kind. Only, as I have already said, the intensity of the rust-brown on the third part of 
the tip of each feather is sometimes stronger, sometimes feebler, and on this depends the general colouring of the specimen. One 
specimen from the North Island shows the same darker and of a more vivid rust-brown than examples from the South Island. It 
does not, however, appear quite so dark as a specimen in the Bremen collection, without a positively defined locality, of which I 
have already made mention. The other specimen from the North Island, however, so perfectly agrees, in regard to the rust-brown 
tone of colour, with specimens from the South Island that, in point of fact, not the slightest difference is observable. Conse- 
quently the tinge of colouring as a sjiecifie character must be considered as absolutely worthless. The case is different, however, 
in regard to the relative hardness or softness of the plumage, w'hioh is perceptible to the touch. I am in a position to confirm 
the statement that in general the specimens from the North Island possess more strongly developed feather-shafts, which project 
beyond the barbs in the shape of naked tips, and consequently appear more like bristles and have a harsher feel. This peculi- 
arity is very perceptible on stroking the feathers the wrong way, or on carefully feeling them ; but cannot be distinguished on 
stroking with the palm of the hand along or in the direction of the feathers. If stroked in this way even the most delicately 
sensitive hand would be unable to detect any difference at all between certain specimens from the North and South Islands 
respectively. It is worth mentioning here that on patting the plumage of Apteryx oweni (in the manner described) the same 
difference as compared with Apteryx australis becomes at once apparent. What has been said in regard to the relative hardness 
or softness due to the more or less pronounced development of the projecting naked shaft-tips, which differ again in Apteryx 
oweni, has reference moreover to the plumage of the upper side of the rump*. With that which covers the hind head and neck 
the case is different ; and hero perhaps might be found a single criterion, or distinguishing mark, which is appreciable not merely 
to tbe touch but also to the eye, and which might be considered as a sufficient specific character for the North-Island Apteryx. 
The feathers of the back of the head and the back of the neck have stronger and more projecting shafts, with the barbs composing 
the webs further apart and consequently less numerous. These hair-like barbs not only feel harder to the touch, but the longer 
and protruding hair-Hke filaments are quite apparent to the eye. This pecuharity I find borne out in all the specimens before 
me. It therefore one intends to acknowledge the Apteryx of the North Island as a distinct species, a distinguishing character 
could only be found in this visible difference of plumage on the hind head and back of neck. On the front and sides of the neck 
the peculiarity I have described is scarcely perceptible. Still, I do not venture as yet to set up this character as a constant one, 
as possibly there may be exceptions. Desides, this character alone docs not appear to me of sufficient importance to differentiate 
a species. In my judgment therefore, for the present, this Apteryx of the North Island is only a slightly deviating form of the 
known Apteryx australis. I doubt whether it will be possible to define with certainty specimens the origin of which is not 
warranted, without direct comparison in all cases.” 
Professor Huxley, in his ‘ Characters for Classification,’ notices the absence of continued shafts as characteristic of the genus 
Apteryx. The abnormal character of A. bulleri in this respect is very curious. 
Professor Parker has called my attention to another distinguishing feature, which appears to be constant : in Apteryx 
bulleri the claw on the wing is strongly curved and black; in A. australis it is less curved and whitish; in A. oiveni it is much 
smaller and lighter coloured. 
