THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
When Gould proposed the genus Acanthorhyndius for tins group he included 
three species, A. superciliosus Gould, A. tenuirostris (Latham) and A. dubius 
Gould, the first named from West Australia, the last from Tasmania. He 
wrote regarding the last: “ Although I have given the name of dubius to this 
species on account of its close resemblance to Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, 
I have but little doubt that it will ultimately prove to be distinct.” 
In his Birds of Australia he wrote: “On referring to the above list of 
synonyms, it will be seen that I formally entertained an opinion that there 
were two species of the genus very nearly alhed to each other, the one a native 
of Tasmania, and the other of the continent of Australia; the former being 
distinguished from the latter by its smaller size in all its admeasurements, 
by the crescent-shaped markings of the neck, and by the brown of the abdomen 
being much deeper in colour; I am now, however, inclined to believe they 
are identical; but should the Tasmanian bird to which I have given the name 
of dubius prove to be merely a local variety, this species will be found to range 
over Tasmania and all the south-eastern portions of Australia.” 
In his “Introduction” published later he retracted, writing: “Van 
Diemen’s Land is the native habitat of the species I have named A. dubius, 
which, as will be seen, I had made synonymous with A. tenuirostris, but 
which I am now inclined to consider distinct, an opinion in which Mr. 
Blyth coincides.” 
Then in his “ Handbook ’ he reprinted the former account in full without 
comment, apparently overlooking his retraction. Of course, Gadow lumped 
without much consideration and was followed by most workers until A. G. 
Campbell, dealing with Kangaroo Island birds, wrote: “ I would suggest 
that the specific name halmaturina be applied to Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris ,” 
and then included “ Acanthorhynchus halmaturina (new subspecies). This 
presents some variations worthy of note. Compared with the mainland form 
the tail has less white tip—'75 inch against DO—and the abdomen and throat 
are both much lighter in colour. The crown and collar are also much fighter 
—the latter, in fact, of a male specimen being as light as in a female of the 
mainland, which, of course, is always the lighter and smaller of the sexes. 
The colour of the abdomen of this new species is ochreous-buff, not rufous- 
brown. The measurements are interesting :— 
Victoria Length 5*75, Bill *9, Wing 2‘75, Tail 2-5, Tarsus -7 in. 
Kangaroo Island 5 3 *88 2 - 6 2'3 *74 
Tasmania 5‘2 -8 2-5 2'25 -75 
The Tasmanian form, which was named by Gould A. dubious, is of all 
the darkest in plumage. The Kangaroo Island form, by its lighter colour and 
duller markings, has differentiated from the parent stock in a different fashion.” 
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