FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY <^u.^'ry?y #c^<2^^ I I.I,/, l;V (!t0l0nial JHugeum anb (Scola.tjtcal Surfcregf ©epartment. JAMES HECTOR, C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., DIEECTOn. MANUAL I, WALTER L. BULLER, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.R.S., AUTHOR OF "A HISTOEY OF THE BIBDS OF NEW ZEALAND." PUBLISHED BY COMMAND. NEW ZEALAND: BY AUTHOBITY : GKOEGB DIDSBURY, GOVKBNMENX PBINTE3, WELLINGTON. 1882. /* t ^//f*V-^5/^ CONTENTS. Preface Intboduction ... Analytical Key to the Families Order I.— Accipiteks Order II.— Passeres Order III. — Scansores Order IV. — Columb.'e Order V. — Galling Order VI. — Struthiones Order VII. — Grallj: ... Order VIII. — Anseres ... Index to Genera Index to English and Maori Names XI 1 6 33 41 43 44 47 67 103 105 I L L U S T R A T IONS. PHTK PAOB I. Hieracidea novse-zealanclioi ... ... ... ... ... 1 Ia. Circus gouldi ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 H. Atlieue albifacies ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 ,, novtczealandice ... ... ... ... ... 5 III. Halcyon vagans ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 V. Pogonornis cincfa ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 YI. Prosthcuiaderd novoc-zealanditc ... ... ... ... ... 10 VII. Anthornia melaiioceiiliala ... ... ... ... ... 12 VIII. Xenicus longipes ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 ,, gilviventris ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 IX. Orthonyx albicilla ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 „ oclirocepliala ... ... ... ... ... 17 X. Siibeiioeacus pmictatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 „ rufesceiis ... ... . ... ... ... 18 XI. T)iruagra crassirostris ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 „ hectori ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 XII. Glaucopis wilsoiii ... ... ... ... ... ... 27 „ cinerca ... ... ,., ... ... ... 28 XIII. Creadiou carunculatus ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 XIV. Heteraloclia acntii'osti'is ... ... ... ... ... 31 XIVa. Stringops babroptiliis ... ... ... ... .. ... 33 X.y. Plalycorcus novic-zealandife ... ... ... ... ... 34 „ aui-icops ... ... ... ... ... ... 35 XVI. Nestor nieridionalis ... ... ... ... ... ... 36 XVII. Eudynamis taiteiisis ... ... ... ... ... ... 39 XVIII. Carjjopbaga iiova;-zcalaiidi;e ... ... ... ... ... 41 XIX. Cotuniix iiovic-zcahindiiv ... ... ... ... ... 43 XX. Aptcryx aiislralis ... ... ... ... ... ... 45 XXI. „ niaiitelli ... ... ... ... ... ... 44 „ oweni ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 XXII. „ haasti ... ... ... ... ... ... 46 XXIII. Tbinornis iiovaj-zealandia) ... ... ... ... ... 49 XXIV. Ardea novrczealandioc ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 ., sacra ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 XXV. Ocydromus earli ... ... ... ... ... . . 59 „ australis ... ... ... ... ... ... 60 XXVI. Eallus pbilippensis ... ... ... ... .. 62 „ dicffenbacbii ... ... ... ... ... . 62 XXVII. Ortygonietra aflinis ... ... ... ... ... . 63 „ tabuensis ... ... ... ... ... ... 63 XXVIII. Notornis mantelli ... ... ... ... ... ... 64 XXIX. Casarca variegata ... ... ... ... ... .. 67 XXX. Rbyncbaspia variegata ... ... ... ... ... ... 70 XXXI. Hymenoli-icmus inalacorbynchus ... ... ... ... ... 71 Puligida novic-zealandia; ... ... ... ... ... 72 XXXII. Larus doniinicanus ... ... ... ... ... ... 76 ,, buUeri ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 78 XXXIII. Procellaria lessoni ... ... ... ... ... ... 87 „ fiiliginosa ... ... ... ... ... ... 87 XXXIV. Pbalacrocorax carunculatus ... ... ... ... ... 93 „ brcvirostris ... ... ... ... ... 94 XXXV. „ punctatus ... ... ... ... ... 95 XXXVI. „ fcatberstoni ... ... ... ... ... 96 XXXVII. Eudyptes paehyrbyncbus ... ... ... ... ... 99 Eudyptula minor ... ... ... ... ... ... JOl PEE FACE. The Catalogue of tlic Birds of New Zealand piiljlislied by this depart- ment in September, 1871/" liaving been long out of print, and there being a general demand for something to take its place, Dr. Buller has prepared the following Manual for the use of students in the colony, in anticipation of a more comprehensive work on the subject which he has in progress. As a matter of convenience, the author has consented to adopt the classification, as well as the descriptive portion,! of the above-named Catalogue, introducing only such cor- rections in the text as appeared to be absolutely necessary, and altering the nomenclature in accordance v\dth his own published views on various disputed points. At the same time all doubtful forms have been expungocl, Vthiie the newly discovered species have been added, bringing the total numljer up to 176; and brief sketches of life-history have been incorporated, drawn almost entirely from the author's classical " History of the Birds of New Zealand," a work of such merit that, although it has only been published for eight years, it is now considered a book of rare value. The accompanying plates are reductions, by a new application of photo-lithography, from the * Catalogue of the Birds of New Zealand, witli Diagnoses of the Species. By F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., Assistant Geologist. Wellington, 18V 1. t All measures are in inches and decimal parts of an inch. L. means the length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail ; B. means the length of the bill, from the tip to the gape ; W. means the length of the wing, from the flexure, or carpal joint, to the point (in tlie Penguins the whole length of tlie wing) ; T. means the length of the tarsus, or Jower part of the leg. VI rRKTACE. inimitable drawings by Keulcmans which form tlie coloured illustra- tions to that work, with the addition of four more, copied from other sources. The woodcuts, in illustration of the generic characters, Mere specially executed for this ^Nfanual. JAMES HECTOR. Colonial Musetm, Wellington, 2ncl January, 1882. ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. Page 3. — Insert, before Circu.i goiddi, the generic character? as follow : — ClECUS. Lacep. Upper mandible festooned ; third and fourth quills, nearly equal and longest ; legs, slender. World-wide disti'ibution. INTRODUCTION. Observations on the range and habits of our birds is the kind of information that we look for from residents in the country, and are most desirous of encouraging. But, for the guidance of those who may be anxious to go a step further and describe for themselves any new form that may be discovered, I beg to offer the following hints and suggestions : — It is comparatively easy to describe a bird for all practical pur- poses, that is to say, with sufficient definiteness to entitle the descrip- tion to general respect, and to establish the author's claim to the right of priority in naming the species. The first thing to be done is to take the measurements, and in expressing these the formula of inches and decimal fractions will be found the most convenient. The following are those which are usually considered sufficient : The extreme length ; the full extent of the expanded wings ; the wing from the carpal flexure to the end of the longest primary ; the tail, from the root to the end of the longest feathers ; the culmen, mea- suring from the base of the mandible to the tip, following the curva- ture, if any ; the lower mandible from the gape to the tip ; the tibia, if bare ; the tarsus ; the middle toe and claw ; the hind toe and claw. In taking the extreme length, my rule has always been to mea- sure from the tij) of the bill, following its curvature, if any, to the end of the tail. The advantage of this plan is that by deducting the measurements of the culmen and the tail, which are given separately, you obtain the exact length of the body. This is only useful, how- ever, for purposes of comparison, because the measurements of a bird INTRODUCTION. stretched at full length do not afPord any correct idea of its relative size as a living bird. Next, as to form and colour. In order to make the description intelligible, some knowledge is essential of the names usually applied to the various parts of a bird, and to the feathers which cover them. The diagram which forms the frontispiece to this work, with the references, will I hope be found useful as an explanatory index to the terms commonly used in describing a bird. The bird selected for the outline is our common Harrier {Circus f/ouldi). The technical ierms may be multiplied to almost any extent, but for the sake of simplicity I have indicated those only of which a knowledge is abso- lutely necessary. The definition of colours iii tlicir endless diversity of tone and shade is perhaps the most difficult part of the task, owing to there being no recognized or commonly-received standard of nomenclature. Every naturalist has, to some extent, a standard of his own, and we repeatedly find different terms used by different writers to express the same particular idea of colour and shade. There is less danger of inconvenience or c(nifusion from this cause in a large establishment like the British Museum, or the Natural History Museum at the Jardin des Plantes, where all deseribers have daily access to certain well-known types, and where, in consequence, there is a common under- standing as to what is intended to be expressed by such stock terms as ''ashy," "dusky," "cinereous," "rufous," "fulvous," "olivaceous," and the like. But the fiexibility of our laiiguage enables a describer, by the exercise of a little skill and judgment, and the free use of qualifying adjectives, to express with precision almost every shade of colour by the use of such compound words as " clear brownish-grey," " delicate purplish-grey," &c., Avith the help also of the comparative term, as for example, " darker towards the base," or " lighter towards the tip." A good deal oL' practice, however, in describing colours and their dis- tribution is necessary to make an expert in the art, so that a written description may have the effect of bringing the object described IXTHOnUC'TIOX. IX vividly aiifl distinctly l)e£orc the mental eye. Werner's Nomencla- ture of Colours^ altliongli a work very little knoMii or used^ I have found very useful for fixing in my own mind certain general rules, so as to insure consistency in my descriptions of birds and other natural objects." References to Diagram. 1, forehead [frons) ; 2, crown {vertex) ; 3, hind-head (occiput) ; 4, nape (nucha) ; 5, lore, or loral space ; Q, eye (coloured margin, iris) ; 7, ear-coverts ; 8, hind-neck [cervix) ; 9, side of neck ; 10, back {dorsum); W, rump {iiropygium) ; 12, upper tail-coverts; 13, tail- feathers {rect rices) ; 11, primaries, and 15, secondaries {remif/es) ; 16, larger wing-coverts ; 17, lesser wing-coverts (including ''^ median '^) ; 18, carpal flexure, or bend of wing; 19, scapulars; 20, chin {mentum); 21, throat {gida) ; 22, fore-neck {juyulum) ; 23, breast {pectus) ; 24, abdomen ; 25, vent ; 26, under tail-coverts ; 27, tibial plumes ; 28, cere ; 29, ridge of upper mandible {culmen) ; 30, lower mandible ; 31, tarsus ; 32, middle toe and claw ; 33, pallux, or hind toe and claw. W. L. BULLER. ANALYTICAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES. [Adapted to the New Zealand Genera] This Key is intended to help beginners in naming a bird, by direct- ing them to the family to wliieh it belongs. To nse it, begin at 1 on the left hand, and then follow to the nnmber indicated on the descriptive line that answers to the specimen nnder examination. ^ Toes iinited by a membrane 1 s Toes margined with a broad membrane (.Toes free, without a membrane ('Toes, lliree before and one beliind 2 < Toes, two before and two behind ... • ... (.Toes, three before and none behind „ ( Hind toe on the same level as the others ^ Hind toe elevated above the others , f Bill hooked ; claws tci'j sharp ( Bill straight or curved ; claws moderate or blunt ► f Legs naked ^ Legs feathered ... ... ... ... P f Legs very short ' ^ Legs moderate or long ... ,^ f Bill short and weak \ Bill long and strong (■Bill strong and conical ... ... ... 8 j Bill soft, swollen at the base (. Bill weak or curved ... ... ... f Bill, long, straight (Bill, ' short, very strong ... .. . f Legs and neck very long ( Legs and neck moderate ^ Nostrils exposed 11 < Nostrils covered by projecting feathers (. Nostrils covered by a scale 2^ f Tongue with a brush or fringe at the tip "' \ Tongue smooth at the tip Colymbida', ... 18 p. 73 2 Charadiada^^ .. 3 .. 21 * p. 47 ... 15 .. 5 .. 6 Falconid£o, StrigidiTp, p. 1 p. 4 .. 7 .. 8 HirundinidiTB Alcedinidte, , p. 6 p. 7 Coluinbida?, .. 9 p. 41 .. 12 .. 10 .. 11 Ardeidse, Sturnida^, p. 52 p. 29 Laniida?, Corvidse, Turdidffi, p. 27 p. 27 p. 24 .. 13 .. 14 * "Strep^ilas" has a hind toe ; " Himantopus" lias none. Ml AN"Al.VTl(\r KKV 13 14 15 IG 17 18 19 20 21 Tongue extensile Tongue not. oxtonsile Bill broad at the base, surrouiulod with bii Bill slender, nostrils exposed Bill slender, nostrils covered by a scale Bill long Bill short Wings long and pointed... Wings short and rounded Wings obsolete Three front toes connected ; bind All four toes connected ... (Wings long and pointed... (_ AVing-featbers rudimentary f Bill broad and flat ^ Bill as higb as broad f Nostrils exposed (_ Nostrils in tubes C Bill hooked ; base with a cere ^Bill sliglitly curved toe free, ties Meliphagida?, p. H f Upupidte ) ( (Corvidie) ) P" '^^ Muscicapida?, p. 2C> Luseinidfe, p. 17 Certhiadie, p. 1 ! ... 16 Tetraonida^ p. 43 Scolopacida?,* p. 55 Rallidir, Apterygina\ p. 59 p. 1 1 Pelecanida>, .. 18 p. 91 Ptilopteri, .. 19 p. 99 Anatidsc, p. fi7 .. 20 Larida;, p. /. Procellaridie, p. 82 Psittacidie, CueulidiT, p. .33 p. 39 " Strepsilas " has a hind toe ; " Himantopus " has none. THE QUAIL-HAWK. (/Idult and Vouni;.) HIERACIDEA NOV/E-ZEALANDI/E r/.. /. i>. I. NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. OEDER I. ACCIPITRES ! BIRDS OP PREY. Bill hooked ; feet strong, three toes in front and one behind, all armed with strong sharp claws, which are more or less retractile. TALCONID^. Hawks. Bill partly covered by a cere ; wings long and pointed ; legs naked. HiEEACIDEA. Gould. Upper mandible with a sharp tooth ; third qnill the longest. Australia, New Zealand, and Auckland Islands. 1. Hieracidea novse-zealandise. Lath. Quail-Hawk. Spaeeow-Hawk. Kaiaia. (Plate I.) Above, brownish-black ; below, rufous-brown spotted with rufous-white ; chin and throat white, streaked with dark brown ; thighs, rufous, streaked with brown. When very old, the upper parts are banded with rufous, and the breast is rufous with brown streaks. Male.—L., 19 ; W., 11-25 ; B., 12 ; T., 2-5. Female.— L., 19-5 ; W., 11-5 ; T., 275. Fijg. — Oval ; yellowish- white, mottled all over with rich reddish-brown ; length 2, and breadth 1"5 in. Mab. — Both Islands, and the Auckland Islands. " The food of the Quail-Hawk consists of birds, rats, mice, lizards, and the larger kinds of insects. It often takes its prey on the wing, swooping down on its terrified quarry with the rapidity of an arrow. It never feeds on carrion or offal." — Buller.^ * " A History of the Birds of New Zealand." Quarto, 1873. London. 1 2 NEW ZEALAND lUUDS. " The eggs very closely resemhlo tliose oT Faft-o pcreyrinus of Europe in colour^ size, and shape; are usually three in number; and are deposited on any decayed vegetable matter that Avind or rain may have collected on the rocky ledge; for the efforts of this biid in the way of nest-building are of the feeblest descri])tion." — Potts. Opinions are divided as to the admissibility of tAvo species. Pro- fessor Hutton recognizes only one, which is " ver}' variable in size." Mr. R. B. Sharpe, in his '^ Accipitres of the British INIuscum/' makes one a sub-species of the other. The author of " The Birds of New Zealand " says, — " IlaA'ing brought Avith me to England good examples of both forms, for more critical examination, and having compared them Avith the fine series of specimens in the British Museum (about tAventy in number) and Avith Eorster's original draAvings, I have come to the con- clusion that there are in reality tAvo distinct species, closely resembling each other in plumage in both the young and adult states, but differ- ing appreciably in size." — I.e., p. 1. 2, Hieracidea ferox. Feale. Busit-HAWK. Karkavaeeava. This species resembles Hieracidea novce-zealandia', but is decidedly smaller, and has more slender legs and claws. Male.—L., 16 ; W., 9 ; B., -85 ; T., 2-25. Female.— li., 17 ; W., 11 ; T., 2-5. Sab. — With the preceding. " Although not so numerous as it formerly was, the Bush-Hawk is more frequently met Avith than its congener. The high Avooded lands of the interior appear to constitute its favourite haunts ; and on the southern mountain-ranges of the North Island, as Avell as in the subalpine Avoods of the Canterbury Province, I have found it comparatively abundant. It is a spirited little hunter, and subsists by the chase, its food consisting principally of mice and small birds. During the breeding-season it is more than usually bold and fearless, assailing Avith fury all intruders upon its nest or young " The Bush-HaAvk is generally met Avitli on the outskirts of the woods or among the dead timber of nati\"e ' Avairengas/ these localities being favourable for mice, on Avhich it largely subsists. I once obsei'A'ed a young male of this species playing in the air Avith mice, after the manner of a cat ; and the sight Avas as pretty as it AA^as novel. AYhen I first observed the bird he Avas perched on the naked limb of a tree, apparently engaged in examining his quarry. Then mounting in the air with a mouse in each of his talons, and expanding his Avings and tail to their full extent, he drojipcd first one mouse and then the other, and instantly darted after them, '«^lM^5'^^-*lt$T*?^ rT»56tii THE HARRIER. {Adult and Toi/rig.) CIRCUS GOULDI. PL. I.\. p. 3. ACCIPITRES, d catching them in his talons before they reached the ground, then mounting high in the air again to renew the feat. Ultimately losing one of the mice, he discontinued his play, and, returning to the tree, killed and devoured the remaining one " The ordinary flight of this Hawk is direct and rapid ; but it may sometimes be seen soaring high in the air, Avith the wings almost motionless and the tail spread into a broad fan. On the wing it often utters a prolonged petulant scream. This is the signal for a general outcry among the small birds within hearing ; and the Tui and Korimako will often rise in large flights and follow him into the air. But the little Hawk, heeding not their menaces, pursues his course, and the excitement among the feathered fraternity gra- dually subsides till all is quiet again. The appearance of an Owl in the daytime produces a similar commotion among the small birds of the forest ; and I have often been guided to the hiding-place of the unfortunate ' Morepork ' by the clamour of the persecuting mob." BULLER. 3. Circus gouldi. Bonap. Haeeiee. Kahu. Above, brown, varied with rufous ; over the tail, white with a rufous bar near the tip of each feather ; tail, silver-grey with brown bars ; under-parts, rufous-white, with reddish- brown stripes on the breast. Cere, bluisli ; irides, yellow. Young. — Dark browu above, varied with white on the back of the neck ; below reddish- brown ; thighs, rufous ; cere, yellow ; irides, hazel. An albino variety from E-iwaka is in the Nelson Museum. Male.—L., 21 ; W., 16 ; B., 12 ; T., 3-4. Female.— h., 23 ; W., 17 ; B., 1-3 ; T., 3-7. Egg. — Oval ; white ; length 1'9, and breadth 1'5 inch. Sab. — Both Islands ; Chatham Islands, Australia, Tasmania, Fiji, Celebes. " The present species is spread over a wide geographical area ; for not only is it found in all parts of our own country, but it also occurs in Australia and Tasmania, extending to the eastward to the Fiji Islands, and ranging northwards into the Malay archipelago as far as Celebes. " It is a very common bird in New Zealand, being met with on the fern-covered hills, in the plains, among the marshes of the low- country, and even along the open sea-beach, where it feeds on carrion. It is seldom, however, found in the dense bush, although I once surprised one there in the act of picking a large Wood-Pigeon. " Like all the other members of the genus, it hunts on the wing, performing wide circles at a low elevation from the ground, and sailing over meadows, fern-land, or marshes in quest of lizards, mice, and other small game. Its flight is slow, but vigorous and well sustained. The small size and speciflc gravity of its body, as com- pared with the great development of wings and tail and corresponding NEW ZKALAM) IM lU)^ muscles^ enable it to continue tlicsc wanderings for a wliole day without any apparent fatigue. "Wlien sailing, as it often does, at a high elevation, the wings are inclined upwards so as to form a broad obtuse angle (with the tail half-spread), and there is no perceptible motion in them, except Avhen the bird alters its course. It is wortliy of remark that the birds of the first year are apparently incapable of the peculiar sailing flight which I have descriljcd, tlieir locomotion being effected entirely by slowly- repeated flappings of the wings. This circumstance, taken in conjunction with the dark colour of the young bird (appearing perfectly black at a little distance), has led to the common belief that there are tAvo distinct species. " When gorged with food, the Harrier takes up its station on a rising knoll, a projecting stump, or the naked limb of a detached tree standing in the open, Avhen it assumes an erect posture, with the head drawn closely in and the wings folded, and remains perfectly motioidess for a considerable time. When thus reposing, it is pos- sible to get Avithin gun-range of a ' Kahn-korako,^ or very old bird ; but at other times it is extremely difficult to obtain a shot. Hawks are known to be long-lived ; and they aj)pear to gain more experience of the world as they grow older. The dark-plumaged Harrier falls an easy prey to the gunner ; it may be winged as it sails above him at an easy elevation, or it may be approached quickly and surprised when it descends to the ground to ca])turc and devour a mouse or lizard. But the wary old ' White Hawk ' carries with him the experience of many dangers, and is not so easily taken. I have folloAved one for the greater part of a day before I have succeeded in shooting it. These old birds, notwithstanding the extreme abundance of the species, are comparatively rare, and they are called Kahu- korako l)y the Natives, in allusion to their hoary plumage. Birds in ordinary adult plumage are also somewhat shy ; but on horseback I have often ap])roaehed near enough to detect the colour of the cere and legs. " Besides devouring carrion of all kinds, the Harrier subsists on rats, mice, lizards, feeble or Avounded birds, and even grubs and spiders." — Bulli:k. STEIGID.E. Owls. Base of the bill concealed by bristles ; eyes surrounded by a disc of long fcatbcr? ; plumage, soft ; wings, rounded ; legs, feathered to the Iocs. Athkne. Boie. ; eyes ; t The warmer parts of both hemispheres. Facial disc imperfect above the eyes ; third and fourtli quills the longest ; tarsi longer than the middle toe and claw. ACCIPITRES. O 4. Athene albifaeies. Gtay. LAUaHING-OWL. LATJGHINa-jACKASS. WhEKATJ. (Plate II.) Brown, spotted with fulvous on the breast, and streaked with the same colour on the back ; tail, barred witii fulvous ; feathers ou the legs, pale rufous-white ; sometimes the greater part of the facial disc is wliite. L., 16; W., 11: B., 1-4; T., 3. Kah. — South Island, and Kaimanawa Eauge in the North Island. '^ This bird was originally described by Mr. G. R. Gray, in the 'Voyage of the "Erebus" and Terror/'^ under the name oi Athene albi- faeies ; and Dr. Kaup afterwards made it tlie tyjoe of the genus Scelo- glaux, of which it still remains the sole representative The Kiore maori, which has been exterminated and replaced by the introduced Norway Rat {Mus decumanus), formerly abounded to such an extent in the wooded parts of the country that it constituted the principal animal food of the Maori tribes of that period. It was a ground-feeder, subsisting almost entirely on the fallen mast of the tawa, hinau, towai, and other forest trees ; and it would therefore fall an easy prey to the Sceloglaux . The fact that the extinction of the native Rat has been followed by the almost total disappearance of this singular bird, appears to warrant the conclusion that the one constituted the principal support of the other. Be that as it may, the Laughing-Owl, as it has been termed, in allusion to its cry, is at the present day one of our rarest species." — Buller. 5. Athene novse-zealandise. Gml. MOREPOEK. EUETJ. (Plate II.) Above, brown, spotted with fulvous ; below, rufous streaked with brown, and spotted witli white on the abdomen ; feathers on the legs, rufous. L., 12; W., 8; B., -9; T., IS. Hah. — Both Islands ; also Chatham Islands. " Every New Zealand colonist is familiar with this little Owl, under the name of ' Morepork,^ It is strictly a nocturnal species, retiring by day to the dark recesses of the forest, or hiding in the crevices of the rocks, and coming abroad soon after dusk to hunt for rats, mice, and the various kinds of moths and beetles that fly by night. It is common in all parts of the country, although not so numerous now as it formerly was ; and the familiar cry from which it deriv^es its popular name may often be heard in the more retired parts of our principal towns, as well as in the farmer's country home or in the rustic Maori ' kainga ' : I have even known several instances of its voluntarily taking up its abode in a settler's house, or, more frequently, in the barn, and remaining there a considerable time, b NEW ZEALAND 15I11DS. "When discovered in its liiding-placo during tlie day, it is found sittiufi^ upright, Avith the head drawn in, the eyes half closed, and tlie feathers of the body raised, making the hird appear mueh larger than it really is. It will tlicn allow a person to approach within a few yards of it, and, if disturbed, Avill fly off noiselessly for a short distance and attempt to secrete itself. It will often remain many days, or even Aveeks, in the same piece of bush. In the volcanic hills or extinct craters tliat surround the city of Auckland there are numerous small caves, formed by large cracks or fissures in the ancient lava-streams, the entrance to them being generally indi- cated by a clump of stunted trees, growing u}) among loose blocks of scoria. These gloomy recesses are a favourite resort of the ]More- pork in the daytime. '' On the approach of night its whole nature is changed : the half-closed orbits open to their full extent, the pupils expand till the yellow irides are reduced to a narrow external margin, and the lustrous orbs glow with animation, while all the movements of the bird arc full of life and activity. It then sallies forth from its hiding-place and explores in all localities, preferring, however, the outskirts of the forest, where nocturnal insects a])ound, and the bush- clearings in the neighbourhood of farms, or the ruins of Maori villages, these places being generally infested Avith rats and mice, on Avhich it chiefly subsists. Like other birds of prey, it afterwards regurgitates the hair and other indigestible parts of these animals in hard pellets. That the Morepork also preys on small birds there can be no reasonable doubt, although it has been frequently denied." — BULLER. ORDER II. PASSERES ! PERCHING BIRDS. Bill, straiglit or cuvved ; legs, moderate; toes, (liree before and one bcliiiid ; claw?, curved, moderate. HIRUNDINID.E. Savallows. Bill, short, very wide at the gape ; wings, long and narrow ; tail, forked ; fcot, weak. HiEUNDO. L. Bill, flattened ; first quill the longest ; tarsi, naked, shorter than the middle toe. Spread over the whole world. 6. Hirundo nigricans. Vieill. Head and back, blue-black ; wiugs and tail, dark brown ; forehead, ferruginous ; below and over the tail, rufous-while. L., 5-5 ; W., 4-5 ; B., -42 ; T., -42 ; Tail, 2. Hah. — Australia and Tasmania, An occasional visitant. PASSERES. / "The Tree-Swallow, which is a native of Australia, is admitted into our list of birds on the authority of a specimen shot by Mr. Lea at Taupata, near Cape Farewell, on the 14th of March, 1856, and fortunately preserved in the Otago Museum. Mr. Gould informs us that in its own country it is a migratory species, \dsiting the southern portions of Australia and Tasmania, arriving in August and retiring northwards as summer advances. In the summer of 1851, Mr. F. Jollie observed a flight of swallows at Wahapuaka, in the vicinity of Nelson, and succeeded in shooting one, thus placing the matter beyond all question. There can be no doubt that these occasional visitants are stragglers from the Australian continent, and that to reach our country they perform a pilgrimage on the wing of upwards of a thousand miles ! " — Buller. Note. — See further evidence in Trans. N.Z. Inst, vol. xi., p. 360. COEACIAD^. Rollers. Eill, more or less lengthened, broad at tlie base, sides eoniprcseed, tip hooked ; nostrils, basal, lateral, with linear opening ; wings, long and pointed j tail, short and even ; tarsi, short ; toes, moderate. EUKTSTOMUS. Vieill. Bill, strong, depressed and broad at the base, sides much compressed towards the tip, which is hooked ; nostrils, basal, oblique, partly covered by a plumed membrane ; second quill the longest; fail, moderate and even; tarsi, shorter than middle toe, and covered witli transverse scales ; toes, long, united at the base ; hind toe, long ; claws, moderate, curved, and acute. 7. Eurystomiis pacificus. Laih. Australian Roller. Dollar-bird. Head and neck, brown, passing into sea-green on the iipper surface, and deepening into black on the lores ; spurious wing, outer webs of basal halt of quills, outer webs of secon- daries, and basal half of outer webs of tail-feathers vivid blue ; six of the primaries with a greenish-white basal band, forming a conspicuous spot in the centre of each wing ; throat, vivid blue, with a stripe of lighter blue down the centre of each feather ; under-part of shoulder and abdomen, light-green ; under-surface of the primaries and the lateral tail- feathers, deep blue ; irides, brown ; bill and feet, red ; insicle of mouth, yellow. L., 11; W., 10-5; B., 1; T., "7. Note. — This species is included on the authority of a communication from Mr. F. E. Clarke to the Westland Institute on the 18th February, 1881, describing it under tlie name of Hiriindolanius coertdeus. ALCEDINID^. Kingfishers. Eill, long, straight, and broad at the base ; wings and tail, rounded ; feet, weak. Halcyon. Swains. First quill, long ; second the longest ; outer toe united to the third joint, and the inner to the second joint, of the middle toe. Asia, Africa, Australia, and Polynesia, 8 NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. 8. Halcyon vagans. Lesson. Kingfisher. Eotare. (Plate III.) Top of head and upper part of back, dark green ; lower back, bright greenish -blue ; wings and tail, dark blue ; iinder-parts, and a broad collar round the neck, bufly white. Young. — Above, dark brown, with a few white feathers on the back of the neck ; wing- coverts tipped with buff, and some of the breast feathers sliglitlj niargiucd with brown. L., 97 ; W., 4 ; B., 225 ; T., 6. Egg. — Oval ; white ; length, 1"15 ; breadth, "9. Sal. — Both Islands, and Chatham Islands. " It is very generally dispersed, being met with in all suitable locali- tie.s. It frequents alike the sea-shore, the open country, forest-elearings, and the banks of fresh-water streams. It is, moreover, one of those birds that seem instinctively to resort to the halntations of man ; and instead of, like many other indigenous species, decreasing, it thrives and multiplies under the altered physical conditions resulting from the colonization of the country. It seeks out the new home of the settler, and becomes the familiar ' companion of his solitude.' During the winter months, especially, it resorts to cultivated grounds in quest of grubs and worms, which at this season constitute its principal food. In the early morn it may be seen perched on the fences, gateways, and outbuildings of the farmyard, sitting upright with contracted neck, looking stiff and rigid in the cold frosty air ; and as the day advances it enlivens the landscape by its darting flight, while it attracts notice by its shrill, quickly-repeated call, which is not unlike the, note of the European Kestrel. In the pairing-season this species becomes very noisy and lively, the mated birds chasing each other in amorous play from tree to tree or from post to post Avith loud unmusical cries, something like the syllables cree-cree-cree uttered in quick succession. They breed late in the year ; the brood numbers five or six ; and for several weeks after quitting the nest the young family keep together. This will proba- bly account for the abundance of Kingfishers in the autumn months, which has been regarded by some as indicating a seasonal migration." BULLEU. MELIPHAGIDyE. Honet-eateks. Bill, rather long, and curved ; nostrils covered by a membranous scale ; tongue, exten- sile, furnished at the tip with a bunch of fdaments ; tarsi, rather short j hind toe, long. POGONORNIS. Graij. Fourth and fifth quills equal, and longest ; second, similar in shape to third ; tail, emargiuate. New Zealand only. THE KINGPISHEE. HALCYON VAGANS. PL. III. p. S. THE STITCH-BIRD. {Male and Fonalc.) POGONORNIS CINCTA. /■/.. /'. p. 9. PASSERES. 9. Pogonornis cincta. Bubus. Stitch-bied. Hini. Mataeiobe, (Plate V.) Head and neck black, with a tuft of white feathers behind each ear ; breast, and some of the wing-coverts, bright yellow ; a white band on the wings ; abdomen, brownish-white. Female. — Brown, with a white band on the wings. L., 7; W., 4; B., -75; T., 1-2. Egcj. — Ovoid; yellow-white, thickly spotted all over with rufous; length, '75; breadth, "6. Hah. — North Island only. " This handsome species has only a limited range. It is com- paratively common in the southern parts of the North Island, and may be met with as far north as the wooded ranges between Waikato Heads and Raglan, beyond which it is extremely rare. It is never found in the country north of Auckland, with the exception of one locality, the Barrier Islands, where Captain Hutton records it ' not uncommon^ in December, 1868. I have never heard of its occur- rence anywhere in the South Island. It affects deep wooded gullies, and is seldom found on the summits of the ranges. In the dense timber covering old river-bottoms or low-lying flats it may be sought for ; but it rarely frequents the light open bush or the outskirts of the forest. It is, moreover, a very shy bird, and, being most active in all its movements, it is not easily shot. Its food consists of insects, the honey of various bush-flowers, and the smaller kinds of berries. It often frequents the topmost branches of the high timber, where it may be seen flitting about in search of insects. If disturbed by the report of a gun, it will fly off to a neighbouring tree with a light and graceful movement of the wings ; but, when descending to a lower station, it adopts a different manner of flight, elevating the tail almost to a right angle with the body, and scarcely moving the wings at all. " The male bird erects the tail and spreads the ear-tufts when excited or alarmed ; but the female habitually carries the tail per- fectly erect. The sexes vary so much in appearance that many of the natives regard them as distinct species, and call them by different names. The male bird utters at short intervals and with startling energy a melodious whistling call of three notes. At other times he 10 NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. produces a sharp clicking sound like the strikiug oi' two quartz stones together : the sound lias a fanciful resemblance to the word ' stitch,' whence the popular name of the bird is derived. The female also utters this note, hut not the former one ; and, being recluse in her habits as well as silent, she is seldom seen." — Bulleh. Peosthemadera. Vig. and Ilorfrf. Fifdi and sixtli quills nearly equal, and longest ; tho third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, notched in tlio middle of the inner web ; tail, long, roundc'd. New Zealand and the Auckland Islands. 10. Prosthemadera novsa-zealandiee. Gml. Paeson-eied. Tui. (Plate YI.) Bluish or greenish black, with luetallic reflections ; the hind neck ornamented with a collar of soft filamentous plumes, curving outwards, and with a white line down the centre; white spot on each wing ; throat ornamented with two tufts of white curly feathers. Albino varieties occasional!}' occur. L., 12-5 ; W., 6-3 ; B., 1-3 ; T., l-l.. lS(j(j. — Ovoid, often elongated ; white, or pale pink, spotted with rufous-brown, prin- cipally towards the larger end ; length, 1'2 to 1'45 ; breadth, • 8. Jiab. — Both Islands and the Chatham Islands. " Owing to its excellent powers of mimicry, and the facility of rearing it in confinement, it is a favourite cage-bird, botli Avith the natives and the colonists. Although of very delicate constitution, it has 1)cen known to live in confinement for upwards of ten years. More frequently, however, it becomes subject, after the first year, to convulsive fits, under which it ultimately succumbs. Cleanliness, a well-regulated diet, and protection from extrem.es of temperature are the proper safeguards. I had as many as ten of them caged at one time ; but they died off one by one, and invariably in the manner indicated. Naturally of a sprightly disposition, it is cheerful and THE PAESON-BIRD OE TUI. {Adult and Toung.) PROSTHEMADERA NOV/E-ZEALANDI-C. PL. Fl. V- lo- PASSERES. 11 playful in captivity^ incessantly flitting about in its cage and mimick- ing every sound within hearing. It will learn to articulate sen- tences of several words with clearness, and to imitate the harking of a dog to perfection. Onc^ which I had kept caged in the same room with a Parrakeet {Platycercus auriceps), acquired the rapid chattering note of that species ; and another, in the possession of a friend, could whistle several bars of a familiar tune in excellent time. The Maoris fully appreciate the mocking powers of this bird, and often devote mu-cli time and j)atience to its instruction.^' — Buller. Anthornts. Swaiiison. First quill, sliort aud pointed ; second, deeply notched near 1-lic tip in tlie adult, acutely pointed in the young ; fifth the longest ; tail, emarginate. New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. 11. Anthornis melanura. Sparrm. Beil-bird. Mocker. Korimako. Makojiako. Yellowish-olivaceous ; liead tinged with steel-black ; wings aud tail brownisli-blaclc. Female. — Bi'ownish- olivaceous ; wings and tail, brown ; a white lino from the bill towards the side of the neck. The head is sometimes stained rufous by the juices of plants. Male.— Jj., 7-5 ; W., 375 ; B., "9 ; T., -9. Female.— L., 6-4 ; W., 3-25 ; B., •? ; T., S. Fgg. — Ovoid ; white, with reddish specks, sometimes pinkish ; length, '9 ; breadth, '7. ILah. — Both Islands, and Auckland Islands. " This species, formerly very plentiful in every part of the country, appears to be rapidly dying out. From some districts^ where a few years ago it was the commonest bird, it has now entirely vanished. In the Waikato it is comparatively scarce, on the East Coast it is only rarely met with, and from the woods north of Auckland it has dis- appeared altogether. In my journeys through the Kaipara District, eighteen years ago, I found this bird excessively abundant everywhere ; and on the banks of the Wairoa the bush fairly swarmed wdth them. Dr. Hector, who passed over the same ground in 1866, assures me that he scarcely ever met with it " It is called the Bell-bird from the fanciful resemblance of one of its notes to the distant tolling of a bell. Its ordinary song is not unlike that of the Tui or Parson-bird, but is more mellifluous. Its 12 NEW ZEALAND HIRDS. notes, though simple, are varied and sweetly chimed ; and, as the hird is of soeial habits, the morning anthem, in which scores of these sylvan choristers perform together, is a concert of eccentric parts, producing a wild hut pleasing melody. I liave occasionally heard a solitary J3ell- bird pouring forth its liquid notes after the darkness of advancing night had silenced all the other denizens of the grove. It ought to be mentioned, moreover, that both sexes sing. When alarmed or excited they utter a strain of notes which I can only compare to the sound produced by a policeman's rattle quickly revolved. This cry, or the bird-catcher's imitation of it, never fails to attract to the spot all the Bell-birds within hearing. The Maoris are accustomed to snare them by means of a tuki baited Avith the crimson flowers of the Metrosideros. The bird alights on the treacherous perch to sip the floAvers, and a sudden jerk on a running noose secures it firmly by the leg. " In former times, when this species Avas abundant throughout the whole country, certain forest-ranges Avere famed as Korimako pre- serves, and Avere highly prized on that account by the natives owning them. At the present day, in the investigation of native titles to laud, the ' snaring of Korimakos ' by their ancestors is an act of OAvncrship frequently pleaded in support of the tribal claim." — Bullek. 12. Anthornis melanocephala. Gray. (Plato YII.) YcUowisli-olive ; head, steel-black ; neck, breast, and upper tail-coverts tinged with black. L., 11-25 ; W., 4-25 ; B., l"! ; T., 15. -ffa J. — Chatham Islands only. " This species, Avhich is a native of the Chatham Islands, is very similar to the wciU-knoAvn Anthornis nielunura ; but, as will be seen on referring to the measurement given above, it is considerably larger. It differs, moreover, in haAdug the Avhole of the head and neck brightly glossed Avith purplish or steel-blue.'' — Buller. ZosTEEOPS. Tig. and Ilorsf. Bill, slightly curved : tliird quill longest, first longer than fourth ; tail, cmarginatc ; eyes surrounded by a circle of white featliers. India, Africa, Australia, Fiji. 13. Zosterops lateralis. Laik. White-eye. Wax-eye. BLionT-BiitD. Tauiiou. Head, and over the tail, bright olive ; back, dark grey ; tliroat, yellow ; abdomen, white;; flanks, rufous. The female is rather smaller than Die male, and, in the young, the chin is light grey, and the white circle round the eye is obscure or absent. L., 5 ; W., 2-3 ; B., -5 ; T., -fi. £■,9^7.— Ovoid ; blue ; length, "7 ; breadth, '5. Bah. — Both Islands ; Chatham Islands; Australia, and Tasmania. THE CHATHAM ISLAND BELL-BIRD. ANTHORNIS MELANOCEPHALA. PL. HI. /'. 13. PASSERES. 13 " The history of this bird from a North-Island point of view is very interesting and suggestive. It appeared on the north side of Cook Strait, for the first time within the memory of the oldest native inhabitants, in the winter of 1856, In the early part of June of that year I first heard of its occurrence at Waiicanae, a native settlement on the West Coast, about forty miles from Wellington. The native mailman brought in word that a new bird had been seen, and that it was a visitor from some other land. A week later he brought intel- ligence that large flocks had appeared, and that the ' tauhou ' (stranger) swarmed in the brushwood near the coast ; reporting further that they seemed weary after their journey, and that the natives had caught many of them alive. Simultaneously with this intelligence I observed a pair of them in a garden hedge in Wellington, and a fortnight later they aj)peared in large numbers, frequenting the gardens and shrubberies both in and around the town. They were to be seen daily in considerable flocks, hurrying forwards from tree to tree, and from one garden to another, with a continuous, noisy twitter. In the early morning a flock of them might be seen clustering together on the topmost twigs of a leafless willow, uttering short plaintive notes, and, if disturbed, suddenly rising in the air and wheeling off with a confused and rapid twittering. When the flock had dispersed in the shrubbery, I always observed that two or more birds remained as sentinels or call-birds, stationed on the highest twigs, and that on the slightest alarm the sharp signal-note of these watchers would instantly bring the whole fraternity together. The number of individuals in a flock, at that time, never exceeded forty or fifty ; but of late years the number has sensibly increased, it being a common thing now to see a hundred or more consorting together at one time. They appeared to be uneasy during, or immediately preceding, a shower of rain, becom- ing more noisy and more restless in their movements. They pro- claimed themselves a blessing by preying on and arresting the progress of that noxious aphis known as ' American blight ' {Schizoneitra lanigera) . They remained with us for three months, and then departed as suddenly as they had come. They left before the orchard-fruits, of which they are also fond, had ripened ; and, having proved them- selves real benefactors, they earned the gratitude of the settlers, while all the local newspapers sounded their well-deserved praises. " During the two years that followed the Zosterops was never heard of again in any part of the North Island ; but in the winter of 1858 it again crossed the strait, and appeared in Wellington and its environs in greater numbers than before. During the four succeeding years it regularly wintered with us, recrossing the strait on the 14 NEW ZEALAND UIKDS. approach of spring. Since the year 1862, ^vlicn it commenced to breed with us, it has been a permanent resident in the North Island, and from that time it continned to advance northwards." — Bullek. CERTHIAD^. CitEErERs. Bill, slcudcr, tip entire ; nostrils, small, partlj' covered by a membranous scale ; liiud toe, long. Xenicus. Gray. Eill, moderate ; third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal, and longest; second, rather shorter tlian seventh ; legs and feet, moderate or strong ; tail, very short. New Zealand only. -^-'^i:! 14. Xenicus longipos. Gml. Busn Ween. (riate VIII.) Above, green with a brown forehead ; throat, white ; abdomen, grey ; flanks, yellow ; some of the wing-coverts brownish-black ; a white spot beneath, and a white line over the eye, extending towards the back of the head, where it becomes yellow. L., 4 ; W., 2 ; B., -62 ; T., -9. ^aS.— Both Ishmds. " It is generally met v.ith singly or in ])airs, but sometimes several are associated, attracting notice by the sprightliucss of their move- ments. They run along the boles and branches of the trees Avith restless activity, peering into every crevice and searching the bark for the small insects and larviie on which they feed. It is strictly arboreal in its habits, never being seen on the ground, in Avhicli respect it differs conspicuously from the closely allied species, Xenicus (/ilvi- ventris. It has a weak but lively note, and its powers of flight are very limited. " On comparing my specimens of this bird Avith the type of Mr. G. R. Gray's Xenicus stokcsii in the British Museum, I feel satisfied that they are referable to one and the same species, the difference of plumage being only sexual." — Buller. ■"»-> THE BUSH WREN. (Male arid Female.) THE ROCK WREN. (Male and female.) XENICUS LONGIPES. XENICUS GILVIVENTRIS. PL. nil. pp. 14, 15. PASSERES. 15 15. Xenicus gilviventris. Pelz. EocK Week. (Plate VIII.) Above, olive-green, witli the head and neck brownish ; below, fawn colour ; flaulis and vent tinted with yellow, some of tjie wing-coverts brownish-black ; a few white feathers under the eye, and a white line above it extending towards the back of the head. In the female the upper part of the back is brown. L., 3-5 ; W., 2 ; B., -65 ; T., -9. Mah. — South Island. '^ It lives exclusively amongst the large taluses of debris high on the mountain-sides. Instead of flying away when frightened, or when stones are thrown at it, or even when shot at, it hides itself among the angular debris of which these large taluses are composed. We tried several times in vain to catch one alive by surrounding it and removing these blocks. It reminded me strongly of the habits and movements of the lizards which live in the same regions and in similar localities." — Haast. " It is worthy of remark that in this species the claw of the hind- toe is considerably more developed than in the tree-frequenting X. longipes, even exceeding the toe in length — a modification of structure specially adapted to the peculiar habits of the bird." — Buller. ACANTHISITTA. Lafr. Bill, long, slender, inclining slightly upwards _: third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and longest, second rather longer than seventh ; tarsi, long, slender ; tail, short. New Zealand only. 16. Aeanthisitta cMoris. Span-m. ElFLEMAir. TiTIPOUNAMU. Above, green, tinged with brown on the foreliead ; wing- feathers, dark brown edged ■with green, yellowish at base ; white line over the eye ; below, white, tinged with yellow on tlie flanks ; tail, black, with a yellowish-white tip. Female. — Brownisli-white, streaked with dark brown above and Avhite below L., 3; W., 1-75; B., 6; T., -75. Fgq. — Ovoid ; wbite ; length, -Q ; breadth, "5. JLfa6.— Both Islands. " The Rifleman is the smallest of our New Zealand birds ; and, although comparatively common, very little is at present known of its natural history. It is very generally distributed over the middle and southern portions of the North Island, in all suitable localities, and throughout the whole extent of the South Island. It is to be met with generally on the sides and summits of the wooded ranges, 16 NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. seldom or never in the low gullies. Captain Hutton found it on the Great Barrier^ and Avas assured by the native residents of that island that it was a migratory bird, coming and going -with the Cuckoo ! " In its habits it is lively and active, being incessantly on the move, uttering a low feeble cheep (like the cry of a young bird), accom- panied by a constant quivering of the wings. It is generally to be seen running up the boles of the larger trees, often ascending spirally, prying into every chink and crevice, and moving about with such celerity that it is rather difficult for the collector to obtain a shot. Its powers of flight are very feeble, and it simply uses its wings for short passages from one tree to another. Its tail is extremely short, and is hardly visible when the bird is in motion. " The stomachs of all that I have opened contained numerous remains of minute insects, sometimes mixed with finely-comminuted vegetable matter." — Buller. ORTnoNTX. Temm. Bill, short and strong for this family ; fourth, fifth and sixth quills nearly equal, second much shorter than seventh ; tail, long, mucli worn at the end ; tarsi longer than the middle toe. Australia. 17. Orthonyx albicilla. Less. WmXE-nEAD. PorOKATEA. (PkUc IX.) Head, breast, and abdomen, brownish-while ; back and tail, brown ; wing-feathers, dark brown. L., 5-8; W., 2-8; B., G ; T., 1. IJgg. — White, faintly speckled with pink ; length, '9 ; breadth, "62. ILah. — North Island only. " It frequents all wooded localities, but seems to prefer the out- skirts of the forest and the low bush fringing the banks of rivers and THE WHITE-HEAD CANAEY. ORTHONYX ALBICILLA. THE YELLOW-HEAD CANARY. CRTHONYX CCHRCCEFHALA. PL. IX. pp. i6, 17. PASSERES. 17 streams. It is gregarious in its nature; and the rej)ort of a gun^ the cry of a Hawk, or any other exciting cause will instantly bring a flock of them together, producing a perfect din with their loud chirping notes. It is a curious or inquisitive bird, following the intruder as he passes through the hush, and watching all his movements in a very intelligent manner. If he remains stationary for a few moments, it will peer at him through the leaves with evident curiosity, and will hop gradually downwards from twig to twig, stretching out its neck and calling to its fellows in a loud chirp, and approaching the object of this scrutiny till almost within reach of his hand.'^ — Buller. 18. Orthonyx ochrocepliela. Gml. Native Canaey. Yellow-head. Popokatea. (Plate IX.) Head, breast, and abdomen, yellow ; back, yellowisli-brown ; tail, yellowisk-olivaceous ; wing-feathers, brown, mostly edged with yellowish brown. L., 6; W., 3-2; B., -6; T., L Ecfff. — White, with small faint specks of red ; length, '9 ; breadth, -7. Sab. — South Island only. " This bright-coloured bird is the southern representative of Orthonyx albicilla. Its range is confined to the South Island, where it is quite as common as the jareceding species is in the North. A narrow neck of sea completely divides their natural habitat, — a very curious and suggestive fact, inasmuch as this rule applies equally to several other representative species treated of in the present work. "The habits of this bird are precisely similar to those of its northern ally ; but it is superior to the latter in size and in the richer colour of its plumage, while its notes are louder, and its song more varied and musical. A flock of these Canary-like birds alarmed or excited, flitting about among the branches with much chirping clamour, and exhibiting the bright tints of their plumage, has a very pretty effect in the woods. ^^ — Buller. LUSCINIDJE. Warblers. Bill, straight and slender ; o])ening of nostrils exposed ; tarsi, slender. Sphenceacus. Gray. _ Bill, moderate, arched above ; wings, short, fourth and fifth quills equal and longest ; tail-featliers, long and pointed, stifF, the barbs distant and unconnected. In the young the tail-feathers are of the ordinary form. Australia. 19. Sphenceaeus punetatus. Qiwy and Oaim. Fern-bird. Utick. Matata. (Plate X.) Above, yellow-brown, streaked with black ; forehead, rufous, with a black streak in tiie middle of each feather ; below, white spotted witli black, tinged witli fulvous on the flanks and abdomen ; tail, brown ; a brownish-white streak from the nostrils over each eye. 18 NEW ZEALAND IHllDS. L., 675 ; W., 2 3 ; B., '5 ; T., -8. Varies considerably in colour. 1.////. — Ovoid ; wliitc, speckled all over witli violet and greyiih red ; IcngLli, '8 ; breadth, "6. Hab. — Both Islands. "This recluse little species is one of our comiuonest birds, but is ot'teuer lieard than sceu. It frequents the dense i'ern (Pteris aquilina) of the open country, and the beds of the raupo (T\ipha aiifjustifoliaj and other tall vegetation that cover our swamps and low-lying flats. In these localities it nia}^ constantly be heard uttering, at regular intervals, its sharp melancholy call of two notes, u-tick, u-tick, and responsively when there are two or more. When the shades of evening are closing in, this call is emitted with greater frequency and energy, and in some drearj' solitudes it is almost the only sound that breaks the oppressive stillness. In the Manawatu district of the Province of Wellington, where there are continuous raupo-swamps, covering an area of 50,000 acres or more, I have particularly remarked this ; for, save the peevish cry of the Pukcko, occasionally heard, and the boom of the lonely Bittern, the only animate souiul I could detect was the monotonous cry of this little bird calling to its fellows as it threaded its way among the tangled growth of reeds. " Like the other members of the group to Avhicli it belongs, it is a lively creature, active in all its movements, and easily attracted by an imitation of its note ; but, when alarmed, shy and wary. Its tail, which is long and composed of ten graduated feathers, with disunited filaments, appears to subserve some useful purpose in the daily economy of the bird ; for it is often found very much denuded or Avorn. When tlic bird is flying the tail hangs downward. Its wings are very feebly developed, and its poAvcrs of flight so weak that, in open laud v,here the fern is stunted, it may easily be run down and caught with the hand ; but in the swamps it threads its way through the dense reed-beds with wonderful celerity, and eludes the most care- ful pursuit. When surprised or hard-pressed in its more exposed haunts, it takes wing, but never rises high, and, after a laboured flight of from fifteen to twenty yards in a direct line, drops under cover again. Its food consists of small insects and their larvec, and the minute seeds of various grasses and other plants." — Bulleh. 20. Sphencsacus rufoscons. BuUer. (Plato X.) Above, wingj and tail, rufoug-brown ; below, brownish-vhito ; throat tinged with yellow ; a browuish-wliite streak over the eye ; sides of the head marked with black. L., 7; W., 2-5; B., -52; T., -9. Hab. — Chatham Islands only. ^^*i§gps»^ ■^. THE PERN-BIRD. SPHENCEACUS PUNCTATUS. SPHENCEACUS RUFESCENS. PI. -V. fip. 17, iS. I'ASSERES. . 19 " This well-marked species is confined to the Chatham Islands^ where it was first discovered, in 1868, by Mr. Charles Traill, a gentleman greatly devoted to conchology. He obtained it on a small rocky isle, lying oft* the coast of the main island, during an expedition there in pursuit of his favourite branch of science ; but was unable to give me much information respecting its habits or economy, merely stating that he observed it flitting about among the grass and stunted vegetation, and succeeded in knocking it over with a stone." — BULLER. 21. Sphenoeacus fulvus. Graij. Above, bright fulvous streaked with black ; forehead, rufous : below, white luinutely dotted with black ; a white line from the nostrils over the ejes aud enlarging beyond them on each side. L., 7 ; W., 2-4 ; B., -6 ; T., -87. Sab. — South Island. " This species, which appears to be confined to the South Island, bears a general resemblance to Sphenceacus jmnctatus ; but, on com- paring them, the following characteristic differences are manifest : The present bird is larger and has the whole of the plumage lighter ; the upper parts have the central marks much narrower, and on the hind neck and rump they are entirely absent ; the white superciliary streak is less distinctlj^ defined, the spots on the under surface are less conspicuous, and the tail-feathers, which are much paler than in S. punctatus, differ likewise in their structure, the webs being closely set, instead of having loose disunited barbs." — Buller. Gertgone. Gould. Eill, sliort and blender; first quill sliorf, tlie fourth the longest; tail, long; tafsi, longer tlian midtlle toe. Australia. 22. Gerygone flaviventris. Grai/. Gbey Waeblek. Eiroeiko. Above, greyish-olive ; throat and breast, grey ; abdomen, while, tinged witli yellow ou the vent ; tail, black, M-ith a white spot near tlie tip of the lateral feathers. L., 4-25 ; W., 2-25 ; B., o ; T., -75. Egg. — Ovoid ; pinkish-white, spotted with red, principally at the larger end, occa- eionally pure white ; length, '65 ; breadth, "5. Hah. — Both Islands. " This little bird, of sombre plumage and unobtrusive habits, is an interesting species, whether we regard it merely as the familiar frequenter of our gardens and hedgerows, or, more especially, as the builder of a beautiful pensile nest and the foster-parent of our tAvo parasitical Cuckoos {Eudynamis taitensis and Chrysococcyx lucidus). It belongs to a group of which there arc numerous representatives in 20 NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. Australia, and its habits are iu no way different from tliose of its relations. Its food consists of minute Hies and insects and their larviE, in the eager pursuit of Avhieh it appears to spend every moment of its waking hours, moving about with great agility, and uttering at short intervals a trilling note of much sweetness, though of little variety. The bird is easily attracted by an imitation of this note, however rudely attempted, and may be induced to fly into the open Land by quickly revolving a leaf or small fern-frond, so as to repre- sent the fluttering of a captive bird. Layard compares the note to the creaking sound of a Avheelbarrow ; and I have sometimes heard it so subdued and regular as to be scarcely distinguishable from the musical chirping of the pihireinga or native cricket. " The Grey Warbler builds a large and remarkably ingenious nest, in Avhich it lays from three to six eggs, and, as I am inclined think, breeds twice in the season. The form of the nest appears to be generally adapted to circumstances of locality, &c., and the accom- panying woodcut will show how variable it is." — Bullek. 23. Gerygone albofrontata. Gray. Above, yellowisli-brovvn ; below, wliite, with a slight yellow tinge on the abdomen ; a white streak over the eye; middle tail-featlicrs, brown, with a dark band near the tip; outer feather.-i, black, with a rcddish-wliite b;md. L., 6-3 ; AV., 2-7 ; B., '5 ; T., -8. ITab.^'Si.'w Zealand y (Dieffenbadi.) Mr. Henry Travers brought specimens from the Chatham Islands. 24. Gerygone sylvestris. Po/ts. Above, dark olivaceous ; wings, smoky-black, outer webs fringed with yellow ; abdomen and under surface of wings, wliite ; neck and breast, pale grey ; tail, brown with a broad band of black, the two centre feathers black, the outer feathers broadly bai-red with white, and all tipped with brown. L, 4- J.; W., 2; B., -5 ; T. -75. PASSERES. 21 CeetiiipakUi^. Lafr. Bill, moderate ; nostrils luuate ; fifth quill the longest ; tail, long, rounded, slightly worn ; tarsi, longer than middle toe. New Zealand onlj. 25. Certhiparus novse-zealandise. GmJ. Bkown Ceeepee. Toitoi. Head, back, and tail reddish-bi'own ; sides of the head, and nape, dark grey ; under surface, fawn ; lateral feathers of the tail with a broad brown spot. L., 5-3; W.,2-5; B., 5 ;T., -87. Egg.- — Ovoid ; white, with grey and brown spots, which form a ring round the larger end ; length, '7 ; breadth, '6. Hab. — South Island only. " Like the members of the allied group, Orthonyx, it is a grega- rious species, associating together in small flocks, and hunting dili- gently for its insect food among the branches and dense foliage of the forest undergrowth. On being disturbed or alarmed they quickly assemble and chirp round the intruder for a fcAv minutes ; and on being reassured they disperse again in search of food." — Buller. Pete(eca. Sivains. Bill, rather short, broad at the base, and notched near the tip ; first quill short, fifth the longest ; tarsi, as long as, or longer than, the middle toe ; bill surrounded with bristles. Australia, Samoa Islands. Note. — Fetroeca is substituted for Swainsou's Fetroica as being classically more correct. Dr. Finsch proposes dividing this genus into two — viz., 3Iiro and Myiomoira. A. PetrcBca (Miro) loiigipes. B, C. Petrccca (Myiomoira) toitoi. 26. PetroDca toitoi. Less. Pied Tit. Miromieo. Head, neck, and upper surface, jet-black, witli a conspicuous wliite spot over the bill ; breast and under-parts, pure white ; wing-feathers, crossed near their base by an angular patch of white. Female. — Above, smoky-brown, with a minule frontal spot of white ; throat and all the under-jmrts, grejish-white ; wing-feathers, blackish -brown, marked with fulvous white. L., 4-5 ; W., 2-8 ; B., -G ; T., -75. ' Eqn. — White, speckled with brownifli grey ; length, -78 ; breadth, "59. ifffi.— North Island. 99 \i:\v zr.ALwi) Hinns. "This elegant little bird l)elongs to the Nortli Island, wlierc it has a pretty general distribntion, being met with in all localities snited to its habits. It is a familiar species, seeking the habitations of man, and taking np its abode in liis gardens and orchards. It is always to be seen in the clearings and cnltivated grounds near the bush, moving about in a peculiar fitful manner, and in the early morn may be heard uttering a prolonged trilling note, very sweet and plaintive. Its usual attitude is with the wings slightly lowered and the tail perfectly erect, almost at a right angle with the body. It has a sparkling black eye, and all its actions are lively and sprightly. The strongly-contrasted plumage of the male bird renders it a con- spicuous object; but the female, owing to her sombic colours and less obtrusive colours, is rarely seen."- — liuLmit. 27. PetrcBca macroeephala. Gml. Yellow-brkasted Tit. Ilead, neck, and back jet-black, witli a wliito spot over the bill ; below, yellow, very bright on the breast, and gutting gradually jialcr as it approaches the vent ; wings, brown- ish-black, some of the primaries with a spot, and the secondaries with a band, of white; tail, blackish-brown, the tliree outer feathers witii a bajid of white. Female. — Above, brown, with a small white spot over the bill ; throat, brownish-white ; abdomen, yellow ; wings and tail like the male, but the white on tlie wings tinged with yellow. The young birds of each sex are coloured like the adults, but the tints are not eo pure, and paler. Mnlc.—lj., 5 ; W., 3 ; B., fi ; T., 9. Female.— Jj., 475 ; W., 2S5 ; B., -55 ; T., -85. Fgcj. — White, with spots of purplish-grey, often forming a ring near (he larger end ; lengtii, "75 ; breadth, '6. Hah. — South Island ; Chatham Islands ? " The Yellow-breasted Tit is the South Island rcpresciitative of the preceding species, which is only found nortli of Cook Strait. It appears, however, to enjoy a wider geographical range ; for I obtained specimens at the Ciiatham Islands, and the Antarctic Expe- dition brought some from Auckland Island. " The habits of this species are similar to those of its northern ally {M. toitoi) , except that it appears to be less recluse in its manner of nidification." — Bullkk. '^ This familiar little bird is one of the most elaborate nest- builders amongst the denizens of the bush, or, rather, of its outskirts. The nest varies much in shape, according to position : frequently we have found it in the holes of trees ; and a favourite site is imme- diately under the head of the ti tree [Cordyline austruUs). Two nests which we presented to the Canterbury Museum were of re- markable shape: one, a firm compact structure, placed in the forked head of a ti tree, resembled a very neat moss basket with a handle across the top ; the second, also from a ti tree, owing, perhaps, to the PASSl^RES. 23 foundation slipping hctween the leaves, was built up till it reached the great length of 16 inches. We have found others placed on a rock ; and one, now in the Colonial Museum, was built between the brace and shingles in the roof of an empty cottage.'^ — Potts. 28. PetrcBca longipes. Less. Wood Kobin. Toutouwai. G-reyish-black, with a small white spot over the bill, and a broad band of pure white from the breast to the tail. Young. — Very little white on the abdomen, and frontal spot obscure. L., 6-66 ; W., 3-75 ; B., -75 ; T., 1-48. l£gg. — Like P. albifrons. Hah.— 'North. Island. " This species is confined to the North Island, where it is very common in all the wooded parts of the country : but it is represented in the South Island by a closely-allied and equally common species, the 3Iiro albifrons. There is a specimen of the North-Island Robin in the Auckland Museum said to have been obtained at Nelson ; but I have never found this bird south of Cook Strait, and vice versa as regards the South-Island Robin. The two species may therefore be regarded as true representatives of each other in the North and South Islands respectively. " As the popular name implies, it is naturally a tame bird ; and in little -frequented parts of the country it is so fearless and unsuspi- cious of man that it will apj)roach to within a yard of the traveller, and sometimes will even perch on his head or shoulder. It is the favourite companion of the lonesome wood-cutter, enlivening him Avith its cheerful notes ; and when, sitting on a log, he partakes of his humble meal, it hops about at his feet, like the traditional Robin, to ' pick up the crumbs.' Like its namesake in the Old Country, moreover, it is noisy, active, and cheerful. Its note is generally the first to herald the dawn, while it is the last to be hushed when the evening shades bring gloom into the forest." — Buller. 29. Potroeca albifrons. Gml. Wood Eobix. Blackish-grej, with a small white spot over the bill, and a broad band of yellowish- white from the breast to the tail. The young; has very little white on the abdomen, and the spot over the bill is obscure. L., 7-5 ; W., 4 ; B., -85 ; T., I'o. 2