Page:Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute (IA transactionsproc61873newz).pdf/179

Rh examining the type in the British Museum, I pronounced it "nothing but Pl. novæ-zealandiæ with the red uropygial spots accidentally absent" ("Birds of New Zealand," p. 59).

Certhiparus novæ-zealandiæ, Gml.

Captain Hutton was quite right in uniting C. maculicaudus with this species, But Dr, Finsch was mistaken in supposing that his specimens were "from both islands," because this bird has never yot been met with in the North Island.

I examised, with the late Mr. G. R. Gray, his type of C. maculicaudus in the British Museum, but failed to see anything to distingnish it specifically from C. novæ-zealandiæ.

Rhipidura fuliginosa, Sparrm.

Dr. Finsch "hesitates to unite R. melanura" with the above species, because he has never met with specimens having "a white spot above the eye." There can be no doubt, I think, that both names refer to one and the same species. The white spot (not above the oye, but on the side of the head behind it) is often wanting. I have obtained specimens both with and without this feature, at the same time and consorting together, in the Round Bush, near Kaiapoi.

The interbreeding of this species with the Pied Fantail (R. flabellifera), as described by Mr. Potts in his admirable papers on the nesting habits of New Zealand birds, is a must interesting fact. And it is very remarkable that, whereas the pied species is universally distributed over the country, tho Black Fantail is not found in the North Island, only one instance being recorded of its occurrence there ("Birds of New Zealand," p, 146).

Turnagra hectori, Buller.

I do not dispute Dr. Finsch's identification of this bird with Keropia tanagra. My reason, however, for retaining the specific appellation of T. hectori is thus stated in my "Birds of New Zealand" (p. 136):—"Under ordinary circumstances the name I have proposed would, of course, be reduced to a synonym. It will be observed, however, that Professor Schlegel has used a common goneric name to distinguish the bird specificaily, while he refers the form to the genus Otagon, established by Bonaparte in 1850. As I can sce no valid reason for setting aside the generic title of Turnagra, proposed by Lesson as early as 1837, and as the adoption of the older specific name would, according to this view, give the confused result of Turnagra tanagra, I have deemed myself justitied in retaining the distinctive appellation of T. hectori. At the same time I am anxious to give due prominence to the fact that Professor Schlegel was the first to discover the existence of this new species."