THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
the abdomen and under-tail coverts. In any unworn plumage the upper tad- 
coverts of brevipes show distinct pale barring while in incanus^ at most only 
a pale edging is seen. The metatarsal covering is somewhat peculiar as it 
does not show the regular scutellation both in front and behind as seen in 
almost every other Totanine genus. The front is irregularly scutellate in 
most specimens, the scutes rough and coarsely over-lapping in incanus, but 
more regular, smooth and tending to fusion in brevipes ; the sides and back in 
incanus are coarsely covered with hexagonal scales, the hind row being larger 
and approaching somewhat to scutes in appearance, while in brevipes^ through 
fusion again, the hind row appears as regular scutes and the hexagonal side- 
covering is smooth and compressed, giving most specimens of this form the 
appearance of the typical Totanine metatarsal covering. Specimens however 
occur which have the metatarsal covering somewhat intermediate ; the 
exposed tibia shows the reverse— the fore-part being reticulated while the hind 
appears regularly scuteUate. 
All the specimens that I have yet examined from Australia (save one 
as hereafter noted) are undoubtedly H. brevipes. 
The main comphcation in the nomenclature of this species has been its 
confusion with H. incanus, as noted above. The only synonyms absolutely 
referring to this form are Totanus pulverulentus Salomon Muller and Totanus 
griseopygius Gould ; the latter described a specimen from Port Essington. 
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