The Chatham Islands pigeon (Parea) deserves full species status; Hemiphagachathamensis (Rothschild 1891); Aves : Columbidae

Comparisons of the osteology and external morphology of the mainland and th e Chatham Island forms of the New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae (Gmelin)) show that the two differ markedly in size, appearance, and struc ture, and should be considered as full species, H. novaeseelandiae and H. c hathamensis (Rothschild), respectively. Aside from the plumage characters u sed by Rothschild, such as the distinct plumage and soft-part colours, addi tional diagnostic characters are documented. H. chathamensis is distinguish ed by its greater body size, weaker pectoral girdle, relatively shorter win gs and tail, stronger, deeper bill, broader pelvis, longer legs, and less c urved claws.