There are several species of thisbird in Australia and Tasmania, where they go by the name of Native Hen, and sometimes, erroneously, Moor-hen (q.v.). For the species, see Native Hen. No species of Tribonyx has been found wild in New Zealand, thoughother birds have been mistaken for the genus.
1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. i.(Introd.), p. xiv:
«I ought perhaps here to refer to a species mentioned in theformer Introduction as a newly discovered addition to the NewZealand Avifauna, but now omitted from the list . . .»
Ibid. p. liv:
« Tribonyx has never actually occurred in a wild state[in New Zealand].»
Ibid. p. 90:
« Tribonyx, a bird incapable of flight, but admirablyadapted for running.»