The best understanding that I have of current thinking is that
undulata,albaria and fusca are races of N.novaeseelandiae
ocellata,lurida and leucopsis are races of N.boobook
obscura is a race of N.scutulata
and N.rudolfi is a good species.
However, I also believe that a number of these are at least semi-species,
and are likely to be split in future when more work is done on them.
While we are chewing the fat about species and subspecies, does anyone have
any thoughts on the Tawny Grassbird complex. I remember thinking that the
"Tawny Grassbird" I heard and saw on Mindanao seemed very different from the
Australian form. I think there are other forms in New Guinea and in
Wallacea. Does anyone have any opinions on whether we are dealing with one
or several species here?
John Penhallurick
Associate Professor John M. Penhallurick<>
Canberra, Australia
Phone BH( 61 6) 201 2346 AH (61 6 2585428)
FAX (61 6) 258 0426
Snail Mail Faculty of Communication
University of Canberra, PO Box 1, BELCONNEN, A.C.T.2616,
AUSTRALIA
OR PO Box 3469, BMDC, BELCONNEN, ACT 2617, AUSTRALIA
"I'd rather be birding!"
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