OCR Text |
Show 472 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON OCYDROMUS SYLVESTRIS. [Nov. 11, graculinal), and the " Wood-hen." The last-named bird reminded me of a " ('orn-crake." It is said that there was formerly a large Pigeon on the island, now extinct. A Red-tailed Tropic Bird (Phaeton phcenicurus) was procured; but the oceanic birds, as far as noticed, were the same as those usually inhabiting the Australian seas. The "Wood-hen" is very peculiar in its habits, and the observations I made are as follows:-When ascending the mountain the guide stopped suddenly, as a note like two rasps of a saw was heard at some distance among the loose stones and ferns, and exclaimed " That is a Wood-hen." He then imitated the note of the bird, and the Wood-hen replied. He again tried the imitation, but the bird was silent. Another guide accompanying us then struck the back of the tomahawk against a tree ; again the bird answered ; further strokes of the tomahawk were useless, no reply could be obtained. Then a dog was made to bark, and with effect; the call of the bird was again heard, and again and again as often as the sounds were made and varied. A^t each time it was apparent that the bird was approaching nearer and nearer to our position, until the bird ran out, apparently quite confused and bewildered, close to our feet. The dog that accompanied us, and which had been kept back, was then set at liberty ; he seized the bird and immediately killed it; otherwise it might have been captured alive. It was mentioned that had the dog been kept back and stones thrown at the bird, it would, on being merely grazed by one, retreat but show itself again immediately. It appears that the noise made to attract the bird must be constantly varied, one continuous sound having no effect; chorus or scraps of songs, crowing of a cock, or any other noise with which the "Wood-hen" is unacquainted will attract its attention and draw the bird towards you ; and the guide stated that even if a gun was fired all the "Wood-hens" within hearing would show themselves. This being so, no wonder they are becoming scarce, and will, no doubt, be soon extinct.' " In reference to this letter, Air. P. L. Sclater exhibited a stuffed specimen of the so-called "Wood-hen," which had been mounted from an example iu spirits transmitted by Dr. Bennett to the Royal College of Surgeons. Mr. Sclater stated that, as suggested in the letter, the bird was evidently a Rail of the genus Ocydromus, but apparently of a new species, for which he proposed the name OCYDROMUS SYLVESTRIS, sp. nov. (Plate XXXV.) Oleayineo-fuscus fere unicolor, subtus vix dilutior, capitis lateribus et gutture cineraceo paulum lavatis: remigibus rufis nigro anguste transfasciatis : rostro et pedibus obscure cornels : long. tota 11*0, alee 5*2, caudee 2*2, rostri a rictu 2*0, tarsi 2*0. Hab. in insula "Lord Howe" dicta, maris Australiani. Remarks.-This Ocydromus is readily distinguishable from 0. australis and O. earlei of N e w Zealand by its small size, and by the rufous colour of the wings, which are narrowly banded across with black. Besides the New-Zealand species, the only other member of this genus known to me is the O. lafresnayanus of New Caledonia, |