THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
in 1866 and 1868. I purpose to distinguish this form from Western Australia 
under the name of Pezoporus flaviventris.” 
In my k ‘ Reference List ” I reduced this to subspecific rank, which was 
obviously its proper value, and named the Tasmanian form Pezoporus terrestris 
leachi, writing : “ Differs from P. t. terrestris in its darker green coloration, 
lacking the yellowish tinge characteristic of New South Wales birds above 
and below. The black markings on the upper surface are more extensive, and 
hence give the whole bird a darker appearance.” I might just note that this 
diagnosis was drawn up from my own material, without reference to the British 
Museum skins studied by Salvadori. In the Austral Avian Record , Vol. II., 
p. 91, 1914, I named Pezoporus terrestris dombraini subsp. n. “ Differs from 
P. t. terrestris in having the green of the back and breast much lighter, and the 
middle of the abdomen yellow, more as in P. t. flaviventris North. Glengelly 
River, S.E. of South Australia.” 
I now admit these four subspecies, but it is necessary to note an alteration 
in the specific name. When Latham described the species he called it 
Psittacus formosus , but this name had been anticipated by Scopoli. At once 
the invalidity of the name was noted and Shaw proposed as a substitute 
Psittacus terrestris. Very shortly afterwards Illiger provided a new genus 
Pezoporus for the species, on account of its long tail, long claws, peculiar 
coloration, etc. Through the acceptance of the new genus the old incorrect 
species name was reverted to, and the bird became commonly known as 
Pezoporus formosus. Such usage was quite wrong, and when I drew up my 
Handlist I made use of the correct combination, Pezoporus terrestris , and this 
has since been commonly in use. I later noted that Perry had named the 
species in 1810 Psittacus viridis, but that name had been previously used. 
I now find that Kerr, in the Animal Kingdom, in 1792, had noted the 
double usage by Latham of Psittacus formosus and had corrected this by 
the introduction of Psittacus wallicus ; this name, being earlier than Shaw’s 
P. terrestris, must be used. 
The names of the subspecies will then read — 
Pezoporus wallicus wallicus Kerr. New South Wales ; Victoria 
(? North). 
Pezoporus wallicus dombraini Mathews. South Australia ; ? Victoria 
(South). 
This form is quite intermediate between the typical and the West 
Australian subspecies, and if it be not considered deserving of subspecific 
rank could be referred to under the style Pezoporus wallicus wallicus- flaviventris, 
an unpleasing alternative. 
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