(PLATE 5, FIG. 3.)
_Sphenoeacus rufescens_ Buller, Ibis 1869, p. 38.
_Megalurus rufescens_ Gray Hand-l. B. I, p. 206. No. 2913. (1869.)
Buller's original description is as follows: "Upper parts, sides, and tail
dark rufous brown, brightest on the crown and hind-neck; the feathers of
the shoulders and sides centred with black. Quills dusky black, margined
with rufous brown. Streak over the eye, throat, breast and abdomen pale
fawn colour; sides of the head and ear-coverts marked with black. Bill
light brown with the ridge black, feet dark brown." Buller's type probably
had been preserved in spirit, as the colouration of fresh specimens is very
different to his description. The general colour above and on the flanks
chestnut rufous, most feathers with darker or black centres; chin, throat,
breast and abdomen pure white; crissum and under tail-coverts whity buff or
buffy brown. Wing 2.6 inches, tail 3.9 inches, culmen 0.65 inch.
Habitat: Chatham Islands.
Cats, rats and weasels have exterminated this fine species, which is now
quite extinct. Messrs. Travers and Dannefaerd have supplied the specimens
in most colonial museums, while Henry Palmer collected the 14 at Tring. A
few in Liverpool and two in the British Museum are all known to me in
Europe, in addition to those at Tring.
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