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NOTES

ON THE

BREEDING HABITS

OF

NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.

Bye Ty He SsEOT rs:

READ BEFORE THE WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
JuLY 17;78869.

WELLINGTON: JAMES HUGHES, PRINTER, LAMBTON QUAY.

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NOYES

BREEDING HABITS

OF

NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.

BY, “0, :Hy PORTIS:

(With Illustrations.)
[Read before the Wellinytun Philosophical Society, July 17, 1869.)
INTRODUCTION.

THE settlers of New Zealand, so large a proportion of whom are engaged in
rural occupations, which placing them in immediate contact with the works of
nature, through observation and study ripening into confidential intercourse,
will, doubtless, feel deeply indebted to Mr. Buller for his valuable Essay on
our Birds, which most interesting division of our Fauna exhibits a notable
exception to the comparative dearth of animal life in these islands. When we
consider, that from the absence of almost every variety, of game, we are
debarred the enjoyment of those sporting instincts and habits, which are
characteristic of our countrymen wherever they may sojourn, the Natural
History of our birds may be found an interesting and useful study, wherewith
to beguile many a listless hour; wherever our pioneers of civilization are
engaged in subduing the wilderness, near the grateful shade of the forest, in
tending flocks on the hill pastures, or cultivating the level acres of the plains.
Nor is it for the merits of that interesting treatise only that we feel thus

“¥ indebted to its author ; its publication has called forth a critical review of it
~‘S from the pen of Dr. Otto Finsch, of Bremen. The combined result has been
) of great advantage to the Student of Ornithology, by the removal of certain
we doubts and difficulties in the nomenclature, and “the presentation of a nearly
Sit list of New Zealand birds, corrected to a recent date. Mr. Buller
not only deserves well of his fellow-colonists for what he has done, and merits

. our thanks for benefits conferred, but we must feel prospectively grateful

can ¥ 7 Eb arherlrs

2

inasmuch as he is labouring at a complete work on New Zealand Birds. As
some time must, however, elapse before his work can be placed in the hands
of the public, I beg to offer my small budget of information concerning the
mode of nidification and breeding habits of several species, which have come
under my own observation, many of which are rapidly becoming scarce. I do
so, not only in the hope of its proving of some utility, however slight, but also
that others may be induced to communicate their observations, even in a like
imperfect shape, and thus lend their assistance in studying our page in the
great Book of Nature.

Some of the information here given has been already forwarded to Mr.
Buller, at his request, having been gathered from notes and memoranda, made
by my sons, and myself, during a long residence in various districts of the
Province of Canterbury, where we enjoyed favourable opportunities for
pursuing a favourite study.

‘Some to the holly hedge
Nestling repair, and to the thicket some ;
Some to the rude protection of the thorn
Commit their feeble offspring : the cleft tree
Offers its kind concealment to a few,
Their food its insects, and its moss their nests.
Others apart far in the grassy dale,
Or roughening waste, their humble texture weave.
But most in woodlands solitudes delight,
In unfrequented glooms, or shaggy banks,
Steep, and divided by a babbling brook,
Whose murmurs soothe them all the livelong day,
When by kind duty fix’d.”—THomson.

The Birds of New Zealand present to the observing naturalist most
interesting studies in their breeding habits, and various modes of nidifica-
tion, varying from the compactly-felted nest of the Rhipidure, or Mohoue,
through easy gradations, every step of which is instructive, till we reach the
bare spray-washed rock, on which the Whalebird rears its hardy offspring.
They offer to our notice examples of burrowers, troglodytes or semi-burrowers,
ground-builders, parasites, and the more or less elaborately-finished structures,
which are to be found amongst the incessorial families, in which division the
faculty or instinct of bird architecture appears to reach the highest development.
Any one who has enjoyed the opportunity, must have been filled with
admiration, whilst watching and considering the varying conditions under
which the young of different species are reared.* We see that some are fed
in the nest until they are well-grown, as the kingfisher and penguin ; others
may be said to assist the work of their parents, by following them as soon as
they are hatched, and thus materially diminishing the labour of bringing up,
by being themselves able to reach the locality of their food supply. Examples
of these latter may be found amongst the Rallide, Charadrie, and Anatidee ;
whilst, as observed before, the young of the genera Halcyon and Spheniscus (true
burrowing species) remain in their tunnelled holes till well-fledged and well-
grown. Yetin the case of Hymenolaimus melacorhynchus (which has some
claim to be classed as a burrower), a young brood may be noticed with the old
birds, on a lake or river, riding on the rippling waves, and floating with
buoyancy and ease for hours. The Charadriz at the best are but indifferent

* In a recent work Professor Owen makes this suggestion, ‘‘ A binary division
of the class (Aves) may be founded on the condition of the newly-hatched young, which
in some orders are able to run about, and provide food for themselves, the moment they
quit the shell (aves precoces) ; whilst in others the young are excluded feeble, naked,
blind, and dependent on their parents for support (aves altrices).” See Anatomy of
Vertebrata, —OwWEN.

3

nest builders, whilst some members of that restless, wary family make no
attempt to provide artificial protection for their offspring, the young, warmly
clothed with down, appear quite equal to the occasion, and accompany their
parents with liveliness and activity. Amongst the Sternide and Laride,
instances may be cited, showing equal indifference in providing shelter for
their young ; yet, it should be remarked, in these cases the young appear quite
incapable of shifting for themselves, and must depend on the industry of the
old birds for bringing their food supply to them for several weeks. Here the
parental instinct is shown in the selection of the breeding place, the eggs being
deposited on the shore of the tishing ground, from whence the food supply of
the future family is to be procured ; but they have fewer mouths to feed, as
they seldom lay more than one or two eggs (L. Scopulinus, S. Longipennis).
Now, if we turn, for the sake of comparison, to the incessorial genera, denizens of
the bush, we shall find the callow nestling equally as helpless as the young in
the case of the natatorial birds: but as they number many individuals to each
nest, the tax on the energy of the old birds to supply the requisite amount of
food, must cause, pro tanto, so much the greater labour, unless, indeed, the
warmth of numbers closely packed in a well-built nest, should render a some-
what less abundant supply of food sufficient, than would be required to support
and rear the exposed broods of the aquatic birds before mentioned.

Some of the Grallatoree and Anatidx are remarkable for the extraordinary
efforts they make when endeavouring to allure the unwelcome intruder from
the immediate neighbourhood of their eggs or young. They will assume
lameness, flutter with drooping wing, or drop with a dismal cry into the simulated
agony of a death struggle to mislead the wayfarer, but when their artifice has
succeeded in enticing him to follow till a safe distance from their precious
charge is reached, “they clap their well-fledged wings and bear away,” leaving
the astonished beholder to meditate on the folly of trusting to appearances.

Amongst the troglodytal birds (such as Nestor, Platycercus, etc.) white is
the usual colour of the eggs, doubtless as a provision to render their position
more readily seen in the dim twilight of the breeding place, consequently to be
approached and incubated with less danger of accident. It is, however,
amongst the ground-breeders that the colouring of the eggs elicits the admi-ation
of the careful observer ; in some instances (such as Anarynchus frontalis) so won-
derfully does the colouring of the eggs harmonize with the prevailing tone of the
ground on which they are deposited, that accident only would disclose their
presence to the casual wanderer, besides the instance just given, /.
Longirostris, L. Scopulinus, afford noteworthy examples of this peculiar
property which offers such a reliable safeguard against the plundering
propensities of bipeds, whether feathered or not.

The rapid diminution in the numbers of our birds (with the exception of a
very few varieties, of which Zosterops lateralis is the most noticeable instance)
must be apparent to everyone who has given the slightest consideration to the
subject, it is a matter of deep regret that, in all probability, many species will
have become extinct ere their habits can be sufficiently studied by the
naturalist for their use, economy, and position in our Fauna to be correctly
ascertained. To the future student of the natural history of our country,
vague, unreliable traditions, a conflicting nomenclature, and the contorted
productions of the taxidermist mounted in acrobatic and weird-like attitudes,
will perhaps alone remain to fill up the hiatus, How far should we now have
to travel to discover a bevy of Quail, in the seclusion of some very remote
valley of the “ back country,” a straggler or two might be met with. Yet by
referring to the “New Zealand Handbook,” it may be noted that the large
island in Port Cooper was named after this bird, from the number of Quail
flushed there. The beautiful little Rails are now almost as scarce ; in how few

4

streams or lakes could one now expect a sight of the noble White Crane,
watching ‘“‘ with motionless regard,” its finny prey, yet but twelve years since,
the writer of this paper gave Lake Heron, in the Ashburton country, its name,
from the numbers of this majestic bird, which frequented its shores, or soared
above its surface with lazy, heavy flight. These are but a few names of rare
birds from a list that is annually increasing ; and it is a matter of no great
difficulty to point to the causes, which have led to what must certainly be
deemed a misfortune to the Colony.

As the country became occupied, the more remote districts rendered
accessible by means of roads, as wide-spreading swamps were drained and
brought into cultivation, extensive tracts of country stocked with cattle and
sheep, above all, as the whole face of the country became changed by the
repeated bush fires, it can be readily understood how these various incidents of
civilization should so soon have effected such considerable changes in the
condition of our feathered tribes. To these other minor causes may be added,
and, perhaps, contemplated with less satisfaction, the reckless gunner frequently
killing for the mere love of slaughter, the self-complacent “new chum,” with
the inevitable firearms, even the learned savant will sometimes be tempted to
destroy both old and young, especially of our rarer birds, a favourable
opportunity of procuring choice and desirable specimens being too great for
resistance ; scientific zeal thus overcomes good policy, and consideration for the
future. Would not the re-establishment of some of our rarer species (many of
which are excellent as articles of food) form a worthy, if not a noble, object of
ambition for our Acclimatization Societies to achieve? * The difliculties
attending such an undertaking would necessarily be great, there is no doubt,
but difficulties energetically encountered are seldom insuperable. To ensure
anything like a successful issue being arrived at, certain conditions must be
fulfilled, early action must be taken, an intelligent acquaintance with the
habits of birds, would be indispensable, patience to endure considerable trouble,
as well as occasional disappointment, and lastly, a small expenditure of money.
However, a moderate outlay should not be an impediment to an undertaking
of such interest with those institutions, which have been handsomely supported
by private subscriptions, supplemented by liberal grants of public money.t
The Parliament of New Zealand has taken steps to protect some of our birds,
but however well legislative enactinents may be framed, the people themselves
can alone determine what shall be allowed to exist; looking at the rapid
destruction threatening our noble forests, and in some cases our fisheries also,
it must be admitted that the prospect of the preservation of our birds is the
reverse of hopeful.

As a rule, we appear to live, work, and legislate for to-day, with not too
much anxious thought for the to-morrow of those who are destined to succeed us.
Whatever may have been the result in other countries which have been
colonized by our race, whoever fairly writes the history of this country, will
have to record how deeply the Anglo-Saxon seféler has implanted his mark, by
the alteration of the natural features it presented on his first arrival. Perhaps
it would not be considered out of place to offer a few general, but very brief,

* «One of the exciting causes of the destruction of every living native animal that can be
met with is the pretence of enriching our Museums, while at the same time the overstocked
market in Europe render them, for the most part, unsaleable there; and it is a well-
known fact, that the skins of Australian birds, etc., have been re-exported from England
to Australia for sale.” —See Dr. Bennett’s ‘‘ Gatherings of a Naturalist in Australia.”

+ Should our Acclimatizing Institutions require a precedent, they may refer to the
“Bulletin de la Société Impériale Zoologique d’ Acclimatation, 1864.” Among the
extraordinary prizes offered by the Imperial Society, February, 1864, may be found,—
Reproduction in France of the Pinnated Grouse ( Tefraa Cupido) la Gelinotte, medal of
1,000 francs.

5

remarks on the study of our ornithology, which presents a wide field for the
instructive entertainment, even of those who do not enjoy the advantage of
much out-of-door occupation, as diligent investigation will repay those who are
disposed to devote time and attention to its careful consideration. The
tegumentary system of birds is so remarkable and beautiful a feature, amongst
the glories of Nature’s handiwork, as at once to call for observation, the most
heedless must be attracted by the exquisite arrangement of form and colour.
Although man’s chief interest in the feathered tribes centres, in the fact of
their furnishing him with delicate and luxurious varieties of food, or amusement,
and a mild excitement in the way of sport ; yet several species are so lovely in
their gorgeous trappings, that birds of many kinds are kept in a semi-domestic
state, merely for the gratification their beauty imparts to the beholder. Vast
numbers, more fortunate perhaps, are eagerly pursued and slain, not for
economical purposes of supplying food or clothing, but that their rifled plumes
may be worn as articles of personal adornment. Human vanity has long since
established this custom so universally that neither age, sex or race appears
exempt, and the chief of a Maori tribe doubtless feels as much pride in his
feathered head-dress plucked from the beautiful train of the snow-white
Kotuku, as the bedizened wearer of ostrich plumes, whether a prince or a
peeress of one of the most civilized nations of Europe.

The Parroquet may be frequently observed in confinement, and the Tui,
liveliest of our Meliphagide, quite as often perhaps barred within the limits of
a dirty cage, has to exchange, for the dewy nectar of fresh bush flowers, a
monotonous diet of soaked bread or biscuit, and for this unpalateable dole the
unfortunate prisoner for life is expected to be lively and gay. The Maories of
the South Island have long prepared the Mutton-bird, as a dainty article of
food.

What can be more wonderful than the development from the inert
contents of an egg, of so sprightly a creature as a bird ; if we were not
familiarized with this admirable and curious process of nature, it would be
deemed miraculous ; it really appears typical of the Creation, and this must
have been felt, where the egg was looked upon as the symbol of the renovation
of the living world, and the custom was introduced, of suspending an egg in
Eastern Churches. A writer on the monasteries of the Hast Says, ‘““as the egg
contains the elements of life, it was thought to be an emblem of the ark, in »
which were preserved the rudiments of the future world.”

Passing over the embryological age, the period of incubation which
represents the term of gestation amongst mammals, and the growth of the
young in all its stages of dependence, our attention is arrested by the anatomical
structure of this class of vertebrates. The peculiar arrangement of the osseous
and muscular systems, from whence the powersof locomotion in all their
admirable variety are derived, should be carefully considered, flying, walking,
hopping, climbing, swimming, or diving, from the constant exercise of which,
birds depend for safety, or obtain their food supply.

A transient glance at the structure of their skulls and beaks will satisfy
the enquirer how happily their forms are adapted for the habits and varying
conditions of the life of different species. The strong hooked beak of
Nestor, by the help of which it rapidly ascends the stems or branches of trees,
is sufficiently powerful to rend down long strips of tough bark, such as that of
Fagus solandri ; the soft bill of Hymenolaimus enables it to secure small
aquatic insects, caddis worms, ete., in the mountain creek ; the slender curved
mandibles of Recurvirostra are fitted for thrusting into the oozy slime of the
swampy marsh ; with its strong beak, the cosmopolitan Hematopus readily
breaks the shell-armour of the various bivalves that pave the tide-washed mud
flats of our harbours ; the reason for the lateral curvature of the beak of the

6

Anarynchus, or Crook-billed Plover, as yet requires explanation, which can only
be satisfactorily given from a closer observation of its habits. _ Compare the
bones of Himantopus, the graceful wader, with those of Podiceps, or
Spheeniscus, chief amongst divers, the wabbling, yet undulating gait of the
latter, when hastening to the sea, gives it rather the appearance “of a large
water-rat than that of a bird, but how its awkwardness on shore is compensated
for, anyone may judge who witnesses the ease and rapidity with which it dives
beneath the swelling wave, by the aid of its fin-like wings. Notably, Fregata,
Diomedia, Thalassidroma, with their enormous development of the bones and
muscles of the wings, their consequent almost untiring flight,* offer the most
remarkable contrast to many species, such as Apteryx, Ocydromus, and the
wingless giant peculiar to our land, which perhaps has not been long extinct.
It is interesting to note that it was from a bone of this genus that the instance
of the perfection of skill to which the accomplished anatomist can attain, was
exhibited, as all the world knows, by Professor Owen building up, from the
study of a single bone, his theory of the gigantic bird, the correctness of which
was afterwards corroborated by the discovery of ample remains of various
species of Dinornis. Is it possible that the Moa was known to the ancient
world? The following passage from Strabo would answer for a description of
its pursuit by natives, quite as well as for the hunting of the Dodo of the
Mauritius, or the AZpyornis of Madagascar. Writing of the countries washed
by the Red Sea (Book xvi.), Strabo observes, ‘“ Above this nation is situated a
small tribe, the Struthophagi (or bird-eaters), in whose.country are birds the
size of deer, which are unable to fly, but run with the swiftness of the ostrich.
Some hunt them with bows and arrows, others covered with the skins of birds,
they hide the right hand in the neck of the skin, and move it as the birds
move their necks. With the left hand they scatter grain from a bag suspended
to the side ; they thus entice the birds till they drive them into pits, where
the hunters dispatch them with cudgels. The skins are used both as clothes
and as covering for beds.” Such an ancient notice of a wingless bird is
interesting.

The flight, migration, sight, and voice, of many of our species of birds,

-e all subjects of interest to those who are glad to learn something more of the
world we live in.

When the Lark is flushed from her nest on the wide expanse of the tussock-
covered plains, with what rare instinct or wonderful gift of sight must she be
endowed, which enables her to find her nest amidst the myriads of tussocks
presenting the same aspect, without a track, a tree, or even a rock, as a guide
to aid her organ of locality. How true is the Bronze-winged Cuckoo to his
appointment, almost to a day, the first week in October he announces, by his
presence, that high spring has been reached, and the active labours of our
portion of animated nature has commenced in earnest.

We cannot boast of possessing, amidst our bushes, rivals to those ‘“ melo-
dious songsters of the grove” which wake up the woods and hedgerows of the
Old Countr , yet many of the notes and cries of our foatheced race are
peculiarly interesting, such as the song of the Petroica albifrons, the human-
like whistle of the Chrysococcyx lucidue, the well-known chime of the Bellbir d,
the extraordinary sounds to which the white banded Tui gives utterance, the
flute-like tones of the Crow or Wattle bird, the wailing call of the Weka;and
the startling shriek of that night bird, frequently heard in the back country,
which has not been identified as the call of any bird that has yet been described.

* After the memorable storms of July and August, 1867, in Lyall’s Bay,
amongst numbers of Hapuka and other fish that had been stranded, we observed several
bodies of Diomedea ex ulans, that had perhaps been dashed against the rocky cliffs, by the
violence of the storm,

is

For years attempts have been made to procure a specimen of this mysterious
unknown, which will probably be found to belong to the families either of
Strix or Podargus ; it is to be hoped it may not turn out to be the man-
liking bird thus mentioned by Fuller, “1 have read of a bird which hath a
face like, and yet will prey upon, a man, who coming to the water to drink,
and finding there, by reflection, that he had killed one like himself, pineth
away by degrees, and never afterward enjoyeth itself.”

Already some of our rural settlers attach significance to the peculiar
flight and cries of birds, as prognosticating changes in the weather, thus fol-
lowing out in their new home the like fancies or observations which have been
handed down by their fathers from time immemorial; on this subject Cuvier
wrote, “ For the rest of their intellectual qualities, their rapid passage through
the different regions of the air, and the lively and continued action of this
element upon them, enables them to aniicipate the variations of the atinosphere,
in a manner of which we have no idea, and from which, has been attributed
to them from all antiquity, by superstition, the power of announcing future
events.”

Embryological research as far as our birds are concerned is still a sealed
book. This is a branch of science upon the importance of which Agassiz lays
much stress; after speaking of the information he had acquired from the
examination of bird embryos, he writes, ‘‘ How very interesting it will be to
continue this investigation among the tropical birds !—to see whether, for
instance, the Toucan, with its gigantic bill, has, at a certain age, a bill like
that of all other birds ; whether the Spoonbill Ibis has, at the same age, nothing
characteristic in the shape of its bill. No living naturalist could now tell you
one word about all this.” Investigations of this nature amongst the several
genera peculiar to New Zealand, would be of value to science, and would offer
an interesting field for new discoveries concerning ornithological facts, in our
bright corner of the world, which the scientific naturalist has not yet found
time or opportunity to lay bare.

Accuracy of description is so necessary to establish facts, that it is far
preferable to give a few brief notes, the result of actual observation, rather
than to supply pages of information gathered from hearsay ; even in our
humble researches, the untrustworthy character of report generally, has been
experienced sufficiently often, to impart a certain amount of incredulity not
easily shaken off; mythic treasures have so frequently eluded pursuit, when
the scene has been reached that should have disclosed specimens of more than
ordinary interest, that no difficulty is felt in understanding how often fable
creeps in, and becomes, in a measure, blended with truth in matters relating to
Natural History.

On the other hand it is far from safe to discard even the improbable, as
imperfect description has before now converted the improbable into the
apparently impossible, as a very early notice of the Hornbill will testify.*

* In 1330, Odoric tells of a bird as big as a goose, with two heads. In 1672, P. Vin-
cenzo Maria describes a bird, also as big as a goose, but with two beaks, the two being
perfectly distinct, one going up and the other down ; with the upper one he crows or
croaks, with the lower he feeds, ete.— Viaggio, p. 401.

In 1796, Padre Paolino, who is usually more accurate, retrogrades ; for he calls the
bird ‘“‘as big as an Ostrich,” According to him, this bird, living on high mountains
where water is scarce, has the second beak as a reservoir for a supply of that element.
He says the Portuguese call it Passaro di duos bicos.— Viag., p. 153.

Lastly, Lieut. Charles White describes the same bird in the Asiatic Researches. ‘It
has a large double beak, or a large beak surmounted by a horn-like shaped mandible,” —
Asiatic Res., iv., 401. The bird is a Hornbill, of which there are various species having
casques or protuberances on the top of the bill, the office of which does not appear to
be ascertained. How easy here to call Odoric a liar! but how unjust, when the matter
has been explained.—Cathay and the way thither, Vol. i., p. 100.

8

Many writers of Natural History appear to have made a practice of
copying from their predecessors: the inconvenience of this arrangement is
manifest, in that errors were thus allowed a very protracted existence, such as
the fables which were for centuries supposed to describe the natural habits of
the Kingfisher, etc. The writer of this paper was long haunted by the
vignette title of a popular work on British Birds, the engraving was supposed
to give a correct representation of Cinclus aquaticus, and nest; the latter as
there figured, presented the conventional basin-shaped arrangement with eggs,
all complete, the popular notion of a bird’s nest in fact ; now, in reality, the
nest is a thick mossy dome-shaped structure, in which the pure-white eggs are
concealed from view. Years after quite as great a shock was felt, when on
inspecting a public collection, he found that if he placed reliance on what he
saw before him, Falcons must have laid Pigeon’s eggs, Seagulls had produced
those of the Turkey, whilst the Crested Grebe had achieved a Duck’s egg.
Careless mystifications such as these, should be avoided by those who are
expected to impart information, as too improbable.

An attempt to show, more clearly, the extent which the ravages of a few
years have inflicted on the numbers of our birds, may perhaps be excused for
the object in view, we will therefore endeavour even at the risk of being
tedious, to represent such a scene of the past as one might reasonably expect
to meet with, almost daily, during a considerable portion of the year, at the
place indicated. One of the most favourable localities for observing the habits,
acquiring a knowledge of the notes and cries, and watching the flight of various
birds, was not far from the gorge of one of our great southern rivers, where
the monotonous flatness of “the plains” gives way to a more broken and undu-
lating surface, as an extensive range of hills is approached. This range is on
one side flanked by low downs enclosing a few shallow lagoons, here and there
sparsely-wooded gullies intersect the hills, from whence flow two or three
brawling creeks, that join and deepen into a swift and silent stream crossing
the grassy flat; the higher portion of this corner of “the plains” is stoney,
whilst near the foot of the downs lies a swamp of no great extent.

Here upwards of thirty varieties of birds might be observed almost daily,
and here too, or within a very moderate circuit, most of them breed.

Then our handsome Quail abounded, flying straight and low when flushed ;
the finding its slight humble nest filled with eggs, was no rare occurrence ; or
to see from amidst the snow-grass tussock, the Weka confidently emerge, or to
hear the little Grass-bird utter its unchanging note u-tick, u-tick, as rising
on feeble wings that just sustained it to the sheltering grass, beneath the
spreading leaves of a neighbouring flax bush, whence perhaps the Tit (Petroica)
darted to the ground from the tall flower-stalk, to snatch the larve of the
grasshopper. Then the blue Pukeko, prince of Rails, often stalked through
the raupo of the swamp, or the brown-streaked Bittern, with long ruffled neck,
rose with deliberate flight; perchance hard by in the narrow outlet bounded by
tufted stumps of carex, the light-eyed Teal slunk silently from view; or
further on, where the creek widened to a noiseless pool, the little Grebe with
rosy breast, dived and sported with restless activity ; close by a group of sober
Grey Ducks ; whilst the watchful Paradise Drake basked on the sunny bank
above, his beady eyes doubtless commanding a view of a certain snow-grass tus-
sock, under the waving plumes of which, a cup-like nest of down might lie securely
hid. Then perhaps amongst the tall feather-tufted tohe-tohe reeds, and saw-
edged grass, a pair of Harriers had built their rough, flat-topped home, or
floating high above on noiseless wing, alarmed the pyebald Redhill, that circles
round on rapid wing, screeching its clamorous note ; or we might watch the
pied Stilt with long pink legs, outstretched ruddertike behind, making for the
rush-fringéd lagoon, to join its mates in wading near the margin of the pool,

9

whose placid surface, now broken into a thousand ripples, as it shivers beneath
the touch of the passing breeze, laden with sweet perfume, collected from the
thorny Discaria, the formal solitary Cordyline, or the creamy bells of the
brown-leaved Epacris. Now perhaps behind a favouring flax bush, we watch
the visitors that dot the surface of the water (amongst them, the Black
Widgeon and variegated Shoveller were rarely to be seen) and observe some
early flappers skimming along in hot pursuit of their insect prey. _ Crossing
towards the higher stony ground over patches of gizzard-stones, and many a
bleached bone, crumbling in decay, of the giant Moa, that tells a tale of days
philosophers may dream of; perhaps the sprightly lark, with lively chirrup,
mounts from its freckled eggs, or the banded Dotteril flies round with warning
note, whilst its grey-clad young hide cunningly behind some stick or stone ; or
red-billed Terns gather round in screaming flocks, returning from a_ blackened
patch of new-burnt ground, that stretches far out on the plains, whilst
from many a beak dangles the writhing lizard; or maybe the slowly
repeated twit, twit, of the red-breasted Plover chimes in, as it sidles
slyly off with alternate run and halt, nor could you find its slight grassy
nest till half a dozen times the ground had been stepped over. The
rock-bound gully reached (the heights above, as New Year's day came
round, ablaze with crimson Rata flowers), from the swift stream below,
amidst its noisy brawling with the rocks, arose the plaintive whistle of the
Blue Duck, as with soft-fringed bill it explored each little foaming eddy ; or
crambling through the scrub, we might observe, on the rifted top of a huge
lifeless tree, the great Black Shag, perched motionless ; beneath, Bell-birds,
with noisy blustering flutter, seek the konini, clinging to its brittle sprays,
extract the honey of the pendant flowers; or high up, clear into the golden
glow of sunshine, ascends the glistening Tui, discharging a whole volley of
strange sounds ; or perhaps from the rocky bush, the green-clad Parroquet
descends, its harsh note repeated rapidly ; where sand-flies gather thickest and
irritate the rambler with their dusky swarms, the Fly-catchers, pied and black, flit
around, then perching, spread their fan-like tails with twittering chatter,
whilst from a bare branch above, the strong-billed Kingfisher keeps watch
above the gurgling creek. Then we might note where the small striped Wren
crept round the lichen-covered trunk, or moss-clothed branches of some
spreading shrub, or the grey warbler (Piripiri) with quivering notes fluttered
near its cosy, dome-shaped nest ; perhaps on a huge blackbirch the Kaka
might be seen rending down the bark in long ribbon strips, to reach the insect
dainties that lay housed beneath ; or, with rapid flapping wing, the Pigeon
seeking the straight-stemmed Kohi, whilst concealed by the rising tiers of
leafy canopy, the bronze-winged Cuckoo whistled from the topmost bough.
Emerging from the bush’s dusky light, into the full glare of noon, we might
perhaps have seen the Quail-hawk, rapidly ascending with spiral flight, till it
appeared like a dark speck against the cloudless sky, its shrill jarring scream
distinctly heard the while. Descending through groves of formal 'Ti palms,
the steep, stone-paved terraces of the great river that rushes in milky streams
below, the large Grey Gull might perhaps be found feasting on the carcase of
a sheep, stretched on a patch of dark-green tutu; or hard by the margin of
the sandy spit, the little Gull was perched neat and trim as any quakeress,
whilst the Black Stilt, with its uneasy cry of pk, pink, settled a few yards
onwards, to lead us from its crouching young, or the Crook-billed Plover
scuttled slowly off with outstretched wing. Those less common birds, the
great White Crane, Avocet, and Spoonbill Duck were seen at rarer intervals.

Now the scene is changed, and so thoroughly ; it seems almost like a
dream that such things were. The wooded gulleys denuded of timber, show
amidst blackened stumps, some isolated shrubs, still green, of olearea, panax, or

B

10

much-enduring coprosma ; the constantly recurring bush fires have cleared off
the stately Ti palins (so fragrant in early spring) ; dwarfed flax bushes, altered
the condition of various grasses, improving some for grazing, effected a speedier
drainage, and dried up the shallow lagoons. Thousands of sheep now depasture
on that well-remembered corner of “the plains,” on those gently-swelling
downs ; instead of the varied cries of birds we have the bleating of flocks, the
bark of the colley as it rownds up its charge, the loud crack of the stockwhip,
the hearty curse of the bullock driver delivered “ore rotundo ;” these changes
form part of the evidence that testifies to the progress of our civilization.

If from some of the causes thus pointed out, or the rapid rate at which the
timber forests have been wasted or destroyed,* the introduction of bees (and
the numbers of swarms met with in the bush may easily account for some
diminution in the food of the Meliphagidee), the spread of cats, and even rats,
or from the feeble hold on life which appears to be shared by every living
thing that is indigenous, whether animal or vegetable, when brought into
contact with foreign influences, it should be deemed impossible to avert the
impending fate which threatens the existence of many species of our native
birds, we must endeavour to find some compensation for so great a misfortune,
in the success which has attended the introduction of foreign birds in many
parts of the country. The Pheasant, Partridge, and Californian Quail, are
amongst the best of the game birds that may be considered as established
amongst us. The Black Swan, introduced in Canterbury to check the growth
of another foreigner (watercress), Shell Parroquet, Thrushes, Blackbirds,
Larks, @nemoches Greenfinches, Sparrows, Starlings, etc., from increasing
numbers, promise very soon to give additional interest to our rural scenery.

LIST OF BIRDS
DESCRIBED IN THIS PAPER, WITH THE MEASUREMENTS OF THEIR EGGS.

MEASUREMENT OF EGGs.

Length. Breadth.

No. in. lines. in. lines.

1. Falco Nove Zelandize, Gml. aerAl) 1 aes
2. Circus assimilis, Jard. . 1a | Lie ae
7. Halcyon vagans, Gray. 1 04 0 104
10. Prosthemadera Novee omebe. Sel Ra) 05 0
11. Anthornis melanura, Sparrm. Oy Ut 0 8
15. Pogonornis cincta, Dubus. O 94 Oa
18. Acanthisitta chloris, Sparmm. 0 7 0 6
19. Mohoua ocrocephala, Gml. 0 104 On a8
20, Sphenceacus punctatus, Quoy. . 130, 40 0 7%
25. Gerygone assimilis, Buller Osero 0.7 6
26. Certhiparus Nove Zelandiz, Gul.
27. ss albicilla, Less. . 0 103 0. ae
29. Petroica macrocephala, Gml. . Omg OF at
oe 55 toi toi, Less. and Garn. . Oo. 9 Oa
32. Pe longipes, Less. and Garn.
Do 95 albifrons, Gm. : , 1-0 0; 9
34. Anthus Nove Zelandiz, Gml. . ot OO Os
35. Zosterops lateralis, Lath. . : (Ores 0 6%

*According to a return recently laid before the Provincial Council, over upwards of
170,000 acres of bush land, have depasturing licenses been granted by the Waste Lands
Board of the Province of Canterbury. Is it the interest of the licensees to preserve
timber ?

11

in. lines. in. lines.
37. Rhipidura flabellifera, Gil.
38. P fuliginosa, Sparrm.
47. Platycercus Nove Zelandix, Sparrm.
50. 5 auriceps, Kuhl.
51. Nestor meridionalis, Gml.
58. Chrysococcyx lucidus, Gml. .
60. Coturnix Nove Zelandiz, Quoy.
61. Apteryx australis, Shaw
62. 33 Oweni, Gould
63. is Mantelli, Bartl.
65. Charadrius bicinctus
3 5s obscurus, Gmail.
65. Anarhynchus frontalis, Quoy.
71. Heematopus longirostris, Vieil.
7). Botaurus poicilopterus, Wagl. . :
78. Himantopus Nove Zelandiz, Gould
Bi #8. , melas, Homb,
87. Ocydromus australis, Sparmm.
91. Porphyrio melanotus, Temm.
92. Casarca variegata, Ginl.
93. Anas superciliosa, Gm.
94. ,, chlorotis,Gray .
96. Fuligula Novee Zelandie, Gm.
98. Hymenolaimus melacorhynchus, Gunl.
99. Podiceps rufipectus, Gray
100. EF Hectori, Buller
104, Spheniscus minor, Forst. .
126. Larus Dominicanus, Licht.
127. », scopulinus, Forst.
129. Sterna caspia, Pall.
130. » longipennis, Nordm.
1 », antarcticz, Forst. ;
A ISI. » Sp. (Sternula nereis), Qy.
139. Graculus brevirostris, Gould
142. Dysporus serrator, Banks .

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It may be interesting to persons acquainted with the Oology of Europe,
to institute a brief comparison between the eggs of some of our birds, and
those of kindred European species ; in some few, considerable contrast in size
and shape, may be observed ; whilst amongst others so little difference is to
be discerned, that it would be difficult to decide, from transient inspection, of
which hemisphere they are native.

The eggs of Kalco Nove Zelandie closely resemble those of /. peregrinus,
in size, form, and colour ; so also do those of Circus assimilis bear as striking
a likeness to those of OC. rufus. The eggs of Halcyon vagans are larger than
those of Alcedo ispida, the same may be said of those of Coturnix Nove Zelandie,
when compared with those of C. vulgaris. To select the eggs of Hamatopus
longirostris, from a number of those of H/. Ostralegus, would be difficult ; nor
oer it be much less so to decide whether the Bittern’s eggs were Europe: on

r New Zealand; the eggs of Himantopus melanopterus “strongly resemble
thoes of our Stilts, the same remark will apply to those of Podiceps minor and
rufipectus, respectively. With regard to the eggs of P. eristatus, they are
smaller than those of P. Hectori. The eggs of Sterna caspia bear a very close
resemblance in both hemispheres. The similarity between the eggs of Sterna

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12

minuta, and the new species from the Rakaia, has already been pointed out.
The egg of Dysporgus serrator only differs by 14 lines in length, from that of
Sula AG, of Europe ; whilst similar chalky encrustations may be found on
either specimen.

No. 1.—Fatco Nov ZELAnpDIa, Gul.
Ka rewa rewa-tara.
Quail-hawk.

In New Zealand, the courageous family of the Raptores is very feebly
represented, the honourable post, of head of the family must fairly be assigned
to this bird, which is commonly known by the name of the Quail or Sparrow-
hawk ; “the hardy Sperhauke eke the Quales foe,” as Chaucer has it. This
bold little Faleon, which, a few years since, was so frequently seen, is now of
comparatively rare occurrence. How seldom do we now hear that wild
chattering scream, which gave notice of its approach, and spread alarm amongst
the denizens of the poultry yard. Many instances might be cited of its daring
courage and perseverance in pursuit of its prey, such as dashing into houses,
penetrating to an inner room, striking its quarry, and clinging to it till
ruthlessly knocked over with a stick. Years ago, when Quail shooting, how
we have been troubled by the assiduous attendance of this bird, and have shot
this dauntless fowler almost in the act of swooping off our game. We have
noticed the female, with a Tui trussed in her talons, which she carried a
considerable distance without a rest, when the male soared boldly in company,
and kept watch and ward over his well-laden helpmate.

At present it is in the “back country” only, that we can hope to find its
breeding-place, which is usually on a ledge of rock commanding a prospect over
some extent of country. Such an out-look gives an advantage of no little value,
of which the Falcon is not slow to avail itself, should such a bird as a Tui or
Pigeon appear in sight.

Several of the breeding-places, which we have had opportunities of
examining, have presented, in a remarkable degree, very similar conditions as
regards situation. Amongst bold rocks on the mountain side, somewhat
sheltered by a projecting or overhanging mass, appears to be the favourite
site for rearing its young. The eggs very closely resemble those of Falco
peregrinus of Europe, in colour, size, ‘and shape, usually three in number, are
deposited on any decayed vegetable matter, that wind or rain may have
Eolleeted on the rocky ledge, for the efforts ‘of this bird in the way of nest
building are of the feeblest description. The eggs are of a rich reddish- brown,
mottled over with darker shades of brown, sometimes the ground-colour is
pale reddish-white, less suffused with the darker colour at the smaller end,
broadly oval in shape, they measure 2 inches in length, with a diameter of
1 inch 6 lines. Some eggs taken from a range near the head-waters of the
Rakaia, give measurements somewhat less than the above, with a yellowish, in
place of reddish-brown colour. Young birds are covered with grey down at
first, and assume a plumage of dark brown above, with breast of rufous-white
spotted with brown, thighs slightly rufous. October, November, and
December is the principal breeding season, and the localities we have noted for
the eyries, are rocks near Cass’s Peak, Governor’s Bay, Malvern Hills, River
Potts, Mount Harper, ete.

Nores.—Oct. 10—Young Quail-hawks, near the home paddocks on the
Rangitata River.

Noy. 8—Above the upper gorge of the Ashburton or Haketere River,
found a nesting-place on the bare soil, sheltered by a large isolated rock ; two
young birds, covered with grey down, old birds very bold in defence of their
young,

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13

No. 2.—Circus Assimiuis, Jard.
Kahu.
Harrier.

One of the commonest of the larger birds met with on “the plains.” From
its depredations on poultry of all kinds, game, etc., great numbers of this fine
Harrier are annually destroyed by means of the gun, poison, or the trap.
Over a lambing flock it may be frequently noticed soaring with wide circling
flight. On a weakly lamb its attack commences by picking out the eyes.
Birds it carefully plucks before it begins its meal. It is not an unusual
occurrence to find it with a young flapper, almost as neatly plucked as though
the work had been performed by the skilful hand of a poulterer. We found,
on one occasion, a good sized Shag which had been thus operated upon ; this
was in winter time (July), and shows it has sufficient strength and courage to
attack and destroy a bird of considerable size and power. Its favourite
building-place appears to be a low-lying situation amongst swamps, the margins
of lagoons, ete. The nest, built on the ground, is made of coarse grasses, such
as tohe-tohe, raised sometimes about a foot in height, rather flat on the top. We
have found it partly constructed with pieces of the thorny Discaria, and the
dead flower-stems of the large Aciphylla, above which prickly materials grass
has been carefully placed. The eggs, usually four in number, are white ; when
perforated, and held against the light, the interior sions a deep green ; length,

1 inch 11 lines, with a breadth of Al ach 6 lines.

A pair of these birds made use of the same nesting e-place year after year,
amongst some strong tohe-tohe, close to the Ashburton River. We took from
this nest an egg, which had been entirely covered up with the materials which
had been brought to renovate the nest, at a period, subsequent to the breeding
time, at which this egg had been laid.

From our memoranda, the months of November and December appear to
be the height of the breeding season; it is found moulting in February ;
occasionally fine old specimens are met with, in whizh the whole plumage has
assumed quite a lght tone of colour; this is so conspicuous in some
individuals, that some collectors endeavour to persuade themselves that a new
species has been discovered. Perhaps the noiseless flight of this bird should
be noted. When swooping on its quarry, the clean long tarsi enables the
observer to see the action of the feet, the rapid contraction and expansion of
the toes, when striking at its prey ; should this prove too large, or too heavy,
to be swooped off at once, the Harrier will drag it a considerable distance,
apparently changing its hold frequently, accompanied with much noiseless
fluttering of the wings, each time it strikes out its sharply armed foot to
obtain a fresh grasp. To give some idea of the numbers of this hawk that
are annually destroyed, it may be mentioned, that on the Cheviot Hills
station, ten to twelve per day were frequently killed, and that it would be
within compass to reckon that upwards of 1,000 hawks per annum had been
thus accounted for during the last two or three years ; amongst these were a
few of the Falco N.Z. It will not. create surprise to learn, that on this run
rats are most abundant. On a farm on the Halswell, as many as fifteen were
found poisoned in one morning. On another farm in this neighbourhood,
numbers have been trapped by the use of a common rat-gin fixed on the top of
a Ti palm.

No. 7.—HA.Lcyon VAGANS, Gray.
Kotare.
Kingfisher.

One of our burrowing species. The tunnel-like hole, which forms the

approach to its nest, is found sometimes in a bank, and, perhaps, quite as often

14

in a tree. On examining one of these holes, in a bank not far from the sea
beach, the floor or bottom was observed to incline slightly upwards from the
entrance, the eggs, deposited on the remains of crustacex, were not more than
one foot back from the outside of the hole. When a tree has been selected for
its home, we have been led sometimes to the discovery, by observing the
quantity of chips lying beneath ; its powerful bill soon excavates a nesting-
place in the partially decayed wood. The situation varies from a few feet to
above thirty feet from the ground (See Plate 4, Fig. 1). The eggs are pure
glossy-white, delicate, and very beautiful, more fragile, perhaps than those of
most other species, oval in shape, with a length of ‘Linch 4 } line, by a breadth
of 104 lines. After hatching, the nest is carefully cleared of the broken shells.
The young remain in the nest till well- fledged, and, apparently, almost full-
grown. On examining the castings of the Kingfis sher, which are often to be
met with in abundance near a nest containing young, we have observed that
the external wing-cases of coleopterze, have formed one of the principal
ingredients of the pellets. We have noted that a nest from which the young
emerged late in November, again contained eggs in January. Our Halcyon
must lay a much smaller number of eges “than the English Kingfisher.
Although this bird may be constantly seen occupying some prominent branch,
or stake, when watching for its prey (which, by the way, is of a very miscel-
laneous character), yet, “when approaching or leaving its nest, it always, where
possible, seeks the screen of overhanging trees, as it swiftly darts through the
gully, permitting but a glimpse of its bright showy feathers. Should any one
approach too close to the neighbourhood “of its breeding-hole, the parent bird
utters a low ery, like cree, cree, cree, frequently repeated. Our bird is much
more sociable than its European relative, which is so remarkable for its
solitary habits, that it has been stated, that the male and female only associate
together at the breeding season: we have counted as many as eight of our
Kingfishers sitting in company ; after a heavy rain we have observed, on our
lawn, several of the croquet hoops occupied at one time by these striking-
looking birds. It is rarely to be seen on the ground; after darting down,
either in the water, or on land, and securing its booty, it immediately flies
with it to some perch, or post of vantage, and prepares it for deglutition, by
administering some smart blows with its bill, the sound of which may often be
distinctly heard. Duri ing the breeding season it indulges in a monotonous call
of chimp, chimp, chimp, then a pause, the call and pause alternating for a
considerable time. Fish, crustacez, young birds, mice, coleoptere, bees, and
other insects, furnish some portion of the food-supply of the Kingfisher ; we
have often noticed its rapid dart at a brood of young chickens. This bird is
one of those fortunate species, whose numbers seem rather to increase than
diminish at the approach of civilization.

The name of Halcyon given by ornithologists to this species, carries us
far back into the very early days of Natural History. The history of its
European congener was enveloped in poetic fables for centuries ; probably no
other bird, w hose habits could be so easily observed, has been so universally
the subject of groundless tales, or superstitious regard,—perhaps the recital of
some of these notices may be excused. Aristotle, after a fair description of
the bird, gravely states : “ Its nest resembles the marine balls which are called
helosachue, except in colour, for they are red; in form it resembles those
sicye (cucurbits) which have long necks.” Again, he says: “This bird
hatches its young about the time of the winter solstice. Whereupon fine days
occurring at this season are called Haleyon days.” Omitting the fabulous
accounts of many ancient authors, let us peruse the account of the philosopher
of a more recent date, on the breeding habits of this wonderful bird; thus
quaintly wrote Montaigne —

15

** Mais ce que l’experience apprend a ceux qui voyagent par mer et notam-
ment en la mer de Sicile, de la condition des halcyons, surpasse toute humaine
cogitation. De quelle espece d’animaux a jamais Nature tant honoré les
couches, la naissance, et lenfantement? car les Poétes disent bien qu’une seule
isle de Delos, estant auparavant vagante, fut affermie, pour le service
de Venfantement de Latone: mais Dieu a voulu que toute la mer fut
arrestée, affermie, et applanie, sans vagues, sans vents, et sans pluye, cependant
que halcyon fait ses petits, qui est justement environ le Solstice, le plus court
jour de lan: et par son privilege nous avons sept jours et sept nuicts, au fin
coeur de l’hyver que nous pouvons naviguer sans danger. Leur femelles ne
recognoissent autre masle que le leur propre: l’assistant toute leur vie sans
jamais l’4bandonner:s’il vient a estre debile et cassé, elles le chargent sur leurs
espaules, le portent partout, et le servent jusques a la mort.

“Mais aucune suffisance n’a encore peu atteindre & la cognoissance de
cette merveillense fabrique, dequoy lhaleyon compose le nid pour ses petits,
ny en deviner la matiere. Plutarque, qui en a veu et manié plusieurs, pense
que ce soit des arestes de quelque poisson quelle conjoinct et lie en-
semble, les entrelassent les unes de long les autres de travers, et
adjoustant des courbes et des a-rondissemens, tellement qu’enfin elle en
forme un vaisseau rond prest 4 voguer: puis quand elle a parachevé de
le construire, elle le porte au batement du flot marin, 14 ot la mer
le battant tout doucement, luy enseigne a redouber ce qui n’est pas bien
hié, et & mieux fortifier aux endroits ou elle void que sa structure se desment,
et se lasche pour les coups de mer; et au contraire ce qui est bien joinct, le
batement de la mer le vous estreinct, et vous le serre de sorte, qu'il ne se peut
ny rompre ny dissoudre, ou endommager a coups de pierre, ny de fer, si ce
nest & toute pene. Et ce qui plus est a admirer, c’est la proportion et figure
de la concavité du dedans: car elle est composée et proportionée de maniere
quelle ne peut recevoir ny admettre autre chose, que l’oiseau qui I’a bastie : car
a toute autre chose, elle est impenetrable, close et fermée, tellement qwil ny
peut rien entrer, nou pas l’eau de la mer seulement. Voyla une description
bien claire de ce bastiment et empruntée de bon lieu: toutesfois il me semble
quelle ne nous esclaircit pas encor suflisamment la difficulté de cette architec-
ture. Or de quelle vanité nous peut il partir, de loger au dessous de nous,
et dinterpreter desdaigneusement les effects que nous ne pouvons imiter ny
comprendre ?”

Sir Thomas Browne, the exposer of vulgar errors, in his “ Pseudodoxia
Epidemica,” after stating the results of actual experiments, which enabled
him to contradict the common notion, that a Kingfisher, suspended by the
bill, would show from what quarter the wind blew, yet, apparently, received
the ancient fable of the haleyon days without any distrust, for thus he wrote
concerning the peculiar relations existing between this bird and the winds :—
“More especially remarkable in the time of their nidulation and bringing
forth their young. For at that time, which happeneth about the brumal
solstice, it hath been observed, even unto a proverb, that the sea is calm, and
the winds do cease, till the young ones are excluded, and forsake their nest,
which floateth upon the sea, and by the roughness of the winds, might
otherwise be overwhelmed. But how far hereby to magnify their prediction
we have no certain rule ; for whether out of any particular pre-notion they
choose to sit at this time, or whether it be thus contrived by concurrence of
causes, and providence of nature, securing every species in their production, is
not yet determined.” It would occupy too much space to mention the names
of naturalists aud writers who adopted similar romantic tales, each of whom
was, of course, supposed to be narrating a particular and veracious account of
the extraordinary mode of nidification of the Halcyon. Mr. Gould dissipated,

16

at last, whatever might have remained of these clouds of fable, by depositing
the nest, entire, in the British Museum; a feat, the difficulties attending
which were so well appreciated by all bird-nesters, that there was a report, or
tradition, throughout many parts of England, that the authorities of the
British Museum had offered a reward of £100 for a perfect nest of the
Kingfisher. For a full account of Mr. Gould’s exploit, see ““ Homes without
Hands.”

Shakespeare, in “ King Lear,” and several other writers, allude to the
superstitious idea, that, if suspended by a thread from the ceiling, with
windows and doors closed, the Kingfisher would turn its bill towards the
quarter from whence the wind blew.

Amongst numerous other virtues, 1t was supposed to be a protection
against thunder, against the ravages of the moth in woollen cloth, to be able
to increase hidden treasure, to bestow grace and beauty on the person who
carried it, and enjoyed the power of renewing its plumage, after death, by
moulting.

No. 10.—PRosTHEMADERA Nov# ZELANDIAZ, Gml.
Tui.
Parson-bird.

We have but seldom found the nest of this very common bird, whose
varied notes break upon the stillness of the bush. Wherever we have met
with its nest, it has been rather on the outskirts than in the depth of the bush
itself. The Parson-bird seems thoroughly joyous only in the full glow of
sunlight, where it may be seen in numbers, darting upwards far above the
highest trees, and revelling in its free stretch of wing, now and then playfully
pursuing some smaller bird, till it seeks the shelter of a friendly bush.

We have found the nest from twelve to thirty feet from the ground, and
have noticed that whether against a White pine, or Black birch, there has been
a sheltering cluster of Rubus, with its sharp, recurved prickles, beneath which
the structure has been concealed. We have found it more than once near the
top of a Myrsine Urvillei, over which the Rubus has thrown its straggling cords,
forming a prickly canopy most difficult to penetrate. The nest, rather large,
made of slender sprays intermixed with moss, and the wool or down of Tree-
ferns (Cyathea dealbata), lined with fine bents of Poa grass ; the dimensions we
noted of a nest are as follows: across the top, from outside of wall to outside of
wall, 9 inches, diameter of cavity, 3 inches 6 lines, with a depth of 2 inches.
The eggs, usually three or four in number, are white, or with the slightest
tinge of pink, marbled with rust-red veins, most numerous towards the larger
end, rather pyriform in shape, they measure | inch 2 lines in length, by 10 lines
in breadth. The nest containing young is sometimes stained deep purple, from
the juice of the Konini berries (fuchsia excorticata). On one occasion, the
young, unable to fly, on being alarmed fluttered out of the nest to the ground,
a fall of about twelve feet, the next day they were found safely ensconced
within the nest, looking quite happy; this could only have been effected
through the assistance of the parent birds. The Tui is rather combative whilst
the young require feeding, even when they can fly well, it may be observed
driving away the Kingfisher and Bell-bird from the trees in which its young
are lodged. However much the white-tufted Tui may add to the interest
of our forest scenery by the beauty of its glossy plumage, the gaiety which
distinguishes its flight, or the wild outburst of its joyful notes, in the eyes
of the omnivorous settler, it possesses the higher merit of furnishing a
savoury article of food, and no weak sentimental feeling saves it from the
camp-oven. It is frequently kept in confinement, and at one time many were
sent to the neighbouring colonies. (See Plate 6, Fig. 1).

TRANS: OF N.ZINSTITUTE VOLT Plate +.

A
2
ae
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aS 8
<4
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BERROICA MACROGEPHELA.
Fig. 7
—Ta Ee a eee Eas
ae Be ap? ea
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; Ss 7

a) ieaunt In! ary mr
ANG fa Y
(| M4 i,

HN

West of
BOTAURUS POICILOPTERUS.
Bibtern.

Prvnted at the Ger. (ov Lith Press

—WNest of ==
HALGYON VAGANS

Kany Fisher.

West of

PODICEPS HECTORI
Grebe.

DAP tes Zab, ELEN,

Nest of
ACANTHISITTA CHLORIS.

Wrew
Built in a small roll of bark hunging tn w olusler of Convolvulus.

Nest of
RHIPIDURA FLABELLIFERA.

Ona frond of the silver tree ferm Cyathea dealbatw.

TRANS: OF NZINSTITUTE VOLAI Plate

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ere
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Nests of
PETROICA MACROCEPHELA.

Fig. tf,

Lossip

Nest of
BOTAURUS POICILOPTERUS.

Bitborn.

Sinha ae

den Pov LO Pres

No. 11.—ANTHORNIS MELANURA, Sparrm.
Koromako,

Bell-bird.

Everyone who has rambled through the bush, or even strayed amongst
the shrubby thickets that fringe our numerous gullies, must have become
familiar with the clear metallic ring of the Bell-bird’s note. It may be said
to sing matins and vespers for the warblers of the bush, as it is at the grey
break of dawn, and the still hour that closes in the day, that its chime strikes
clearest on the ear. It is comparatively silent during the noontide heat, unless
some few individuals meet on a tree or shrub, that offers a tempting show of
honey-bearing blossoms, a note or two is briefly sounded, the numbers rapidly
increase ; after much noisy fluttering of wings, a gush of clanging melody bursts
forth from a score of quivering throats, forming a concert of inharmonious, yet
most pleasing sounds. Probably Cook indicated the Bell-bird, then in a
comparatively unmolested state, when he wrote, “the ship lay at the distance
of somewhat less than a quarter of a mile from the shore, and in the morning
we were awakened by the singing of the birds; the number was incredible, and
they seemed to strain their throats in emulation of each other. This wild
melody was infinitely superior to any that we had ever heard of the same kind ;
it seemed to be like small bells, most exquisitely tuned, and perhaps the
distance and the water between, might be of no small advantage to the sound.”
Nor does this cheerful bird confine itself to the bush, it fr equents our gardens
and shrubberies, and especially affects the eccoms of the Fuchsia, Tritoma,
Acacia, etc. The berries of various Coprosmas, and that of the Konini, it
greedily devours ; it may be frequently observed fluttering heavily in pursuit
of a moth. It is very easily snared with a noose at the end of a tohe reed ;
in confinement it feeds on soaked bread, etc. Whilst the Phormium tenax
is in blossom, many Bell-birds may be aie ved with their head feathers dyed
orange-red, fr om contact with the pollen and honey, whilst extracting a
delicious repast from the flax blooms. It has been stated that zealous
ornithologists have deemed the bird thus decorated, a new species.

Placed at no great elevation from the ground, the nest may be found in a
variety of positions, but we certainly have noticed it most frequently beneath
a sheltering canopy of ‘“ Bush- lawyer ” (Rubus australis.) It is rather flat,
and loosely « constructed of sprays, grass, moss, etc., well lined with feathers.
On examining the foundation of a nest, we found green sprays of Manuka
amongst the interlaced materials, a fact which disclosed the proof of the power of
the bill of this honey-sucker in breaking off such tough twigs. From wall to wall,
across the top, the nest measures about 5 inches, fiom ster of cavity, 2 inches
9 lines, depth inside, about 2 inches. We fancy that the lining feathers are
selected in such a manner as to afford some evidence of harmony of colour in
their arrangement ; as, for instance, we have noted specimens, with the inner
lining entirely composed of the red feathers of the Kaka, another adorned with
the green feathers of the Parroqtiet ; near the farm, where many kinds of
poultry are kept, we have had instances of lining, white, black, speckled, buff,
etc., but uniformity of colour has been displayed. The eggs, four in number,
are white with reddish specks, sometimes the ground-colour exhibits a delicate
pinkish tinge ; they measure in length 11 lines, with a breadth of 83 lines.
We must have peered into scores of nests, in various parts of the country, but
we have never yet been fortunate enough to encounter such a prize as one
containing “seven eggs, spotted with blue, upon a brown ground,” ascribed to
this bird by the Rev. R. Taylor, in his work “Te Ika a Maui.” The breeding-
season extends from the commencement of spring, throughout the summer

c

18

months. We have discovered the nest in an old flower-branch of the Ti palm
(Cordyline australis). (See Plate 5, Fig. 1.)

Note.—Feb. 2, 1868—Bell-bird building ; that would give the breeding
season a duration of about six months.

No. 15.—Poconornis cincta, Dubus.

A nest, assigned to this bird, was found in the bush above the Kaiwara-
wara stream, not far from Wellington ; it contained one egg, rather oval in
form, somewhat pointed at each end, measuring 9 lines in length, with a breadth
of 7 lines ; the whole surface clouded over with pale rufous-brown.

The nest, with thin walls, and of shallow form, was built of sprays, above
which were laid fibres and dry rootlets of Tree-fern ; fine grass was used for the
lining, over which cow-hair was laid, and measured, across the top, 4 inches 9
lines, cavity 2 inches 4 lines, depth 1 inch 4 lines. This description is from
the specimen in the Colonial Museum, Wellington,

No. 18.—ACANTHISITTA CHLORIS, Sparrm.
Pi wau wau.

Wren.

This, the smallest of our birds, is usually seen in pairs, flying low, with a
feeble, jerky style of flight ; more frequently it is met with creeping amongst
the lichens and mosses that decorate the stems and branches of our forest trees.
We have found the nest in a small hole in the trunk of a Fagus. Once a nest
was discovered, very cleverly built in a roll of bark, that hung suspended in a
thicket of climbing Convolvulus. (See Plate 4, Fig. 2).

The eggs are said to be very numerous sometimes, although four or five
have been the most we have observed to a nest; like those of nearly all
troglodytal birds, they are white and glossy ; ovoiconically shaped, they measure
71 lines in length, by 6 lines broad. We have a note of the Wren breeding
in August.

No. 19.—Monovua OCHROCEPHALA, Gunl.
Mohoua.
Canary.

Although we have not observed this bird anywhere on “the plains,” or
on the lower ground of the “ bays,” yet as soon as one ascends the bushy gullies
of the hills, the Canary is sure to pay a reconnoitering visit ; with sharp strident
call, it summons its companions, and the trees around will soon disclose the
golden breasts and heads of these active arboreals, as they peer down on the
intruder with noisy clamour. With restless movements, they creep round,
above, and below the leafy branches, in their insect search. We have watched
them on the ground, busily scratching and pecking between the huge moss-clothed
roots of the lofty trees that tower above. The nest measuring across the top,
3 inches 3 lines, with a depth of 1 inch 4 lines, is a beautifully compact
structure, cup-shaped, principally of moss, very closely felted, and neatly inter-
woven with webs of spiders. (See Plate 5, Fig. 2). In the hollow trunk of the
Broad-leaf, it is sometimes found, and occasionally in a decaying Black Birch.
Eggs white, with very small faint specks of red, nearly 11 lines in length, with
a breadth of 8} lines. We have a specimen of the nest and eggs from the

River Wilberforce.
No. 20.—SPHENGACUS PUNCTATUS, Quoy. and Gaim.
Mata.
Grass-bird, Grass-pheasant, Utick.

Some years ago the monotonous note of this little bird might be heard in

almost any place, where tall tohe-tohe reeds, or the waving leaves of the Carex

19

virgata, indicated marshy ground; now it is rapidly disappearing, as_ the
swamps are becoming drained. As its very feeble power of flight is unable to
save it from the bush fires, we anticipate it must become extinct, on “ the
plains,” at no very distant date. From its call, it is in some places named the
Utick. The nest, inclining somewhat to an oval shape, and measuring about three
inches across, is made of grass leaves, so frail in its construction, that the walls
may be seen through, consequently it is a difficult specimen to obtain in a
perfect state (See Plate 5, Fig. 4); a few feathers, usually those of the
Pukeko, are added to the grass leaves, and sometimes a small tuft or two of
wool. The situation is, most frequently, in a tussock, a few inches above the
level of the ground. The eggs,three or four in number, are white, speckled with
a beautiful tint of reddish- purple, which at once readily distinguishes them from
those of any other bird ; oratories in form, they measure, through the axis,
10 lines, with a diameter of 7# lines.

Nores.—Nov. 4—Nest contains three young birds, in a tussock, at the
edge of a wide creek.

Noy. 7—Nest with four eggs, in a swamp by the Hororata stream, in the
Malvern Hills.

No. 25.—GERYGONE ASSIMILIS, Buller.
Piripiri.
Warbler, Teetotum.

This cheerful little warbler is a pensile nest- builder, and one of the earliest
breeders ; its neat, domed nest may be often found, in August, suspended in
some bushy Manuka or Olearia. The nest may be called somewhat pear-shaped,
with a small entrance near the middle, above which is often affixed a kind of
porch (See Plate 6, Fig. 3), it is suspended by its top, and kept steady from
swaying in the breeze, “by y slight fastenings to a spray or two, acting as guys.
Moss enters largely ine its construction, very frequently wool ; we have
examined one, the greater part of which was composed of wool; cobwebs are
freely made use of, to felt and bind the materials into a compact mass. We
have a nest before us, taken from the fork of a Willow tree, at least twenty-
five feet from the ground ; ; itis rather larger than usual, and almost wholly
constructed of poultry feathers and cobwebs, and is felted into a compact, firm
structure, the porch and its foundation, beneath the entrance, is strengthened
and kept in shape by fine roots carefully interwoven with green cobwebs ; here
and there may be found pieces of thread, string, coloured worsted, picked up
from the garden or yard ; the interior is thickly lined with feathers (See Plate
6, Fig. 2), this nest is evidently composed of materials, which would not have
been made use of so freely, but for its firm and sheltered position in the fork of
the willow, the most exposed part only being strengthened with stiff material.

Sometimes, yet rarely, the nest is built in a less elaborate manner, without
either dome or porch, the form of the structure being adapted to the
peculiarities of the situation chosen; the principle of suspension is likewise
occasionally abandoned. Five or six eggs are usually found to a nest, they
are white, with red spots, ovoiconical in shape, 8 lines in length, with a
breadth of 6 lines. No bird suffers so frequently from the imposition of the
golden-winged Cuckoo, as the grey Warbler. We have several times observed
a pair of these industrious little insect-eaters, feeding a young parasite larger
than themselves. The Cuckoo only arrives in October, when the warmth of
Spring is well established ; and one reason for the selection of the Warbler’s
home, in addition to its pencile character, appears to us to be, because from its
shape and structure it is the warmest nest, to be found, for rearing so tender a
bird as the Chrysococeyx, our gay visitor, during the spring and summer
months.

20

Nore.—We have found eggs of the Warbler quite white, doubtless the
produce of young birds. As yet we have failed to observe any such distinctive
features, either in the structure or habits of these Warblers, that they should
be classed as separate species, under the names of flaviventris and assumilis.
We adhere to assimilis, as is adopted in the collection in the Canterbury
Museum.

No. 26.—CerErrHipArus Novm ZELANDIZ, Gml.
Brown Creeper ; Brown Canary.

Although this Creeper may be seen in almost every bush, from the coast
to the distant Alpine Ranges, we have only once found its nest. This was in
the month of December, far above the Rangitata Gorge. The nest, containing
three young birds, was compactly built of moss, with a few feathers, placed in
a Black-birch, between the trunk and a spur, from whence sprouted out a thick
tuft of dwarfish sprays, about seven feet from the ground.

No. 27.—CERTHIPARUS ALBICILLA, Less.
Mohoua.

This bird appears sufficiently common, about the bush above Wellington,
for its habits to be well studied. There are several specimens of the nest and
eggs in the Colonial Museum, Wellington. The nest is a very compact
structure, having very thick walls, and in its style of architecture bears a
strong resemblance to that of MW. Ochrocephala, although, in some instances,
different materials are used. In the one before us, different kinds of soft
grass and moss form the staple, well-felted and interwoven with webs, lichens,
and the down of tree-ferns ; it measures 4 inches | line across the top, cavity
1 inch 10 lines in diameter, 1 inch 4 lines deep. Eggs white, or with very
faint specks of pink, measure 104 lines in length, with a breadth of 7} lines.

No. 29.—PETROICA MACROCEPHALA, Ginl.
Ngirungiru. Piro piro.
Tomtit.

This familiar little bird is one of the more elaborate nest-builders amongst
the denizens of the bush, or rather its outskirts.

It adapts itself, in a manner, to civilization, frequenting gardens, and
may be seen perched on a bough, ready to pounce on the grubs the gardener’s
spade may bring to light, reminding one very much of the habits of the
Red-breast at home.

The nest varies much in shape according to position ; frequently we have
found it in holes of trees ; a favourite site is immediately under the head of
the ti tree (Cordyline australis). Two nests we presented to the Canterbury
Museum, were of remarkable 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, from, perhaps, the foundation
slipping between the leaves, was built up till it reached the great length. of
sixteen inches. (See Plate 4, Fig. 4). 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.

The nest is neatly and firmly built of a variety of materials, carefully and
neatly interwoven ; moss, grass-bents, slender sprays, the down or wool of
the tree-fern, cobwebs, and feathers, warmly line the interior. Four eggs is
the usual number laid, though we have been told of more having been found ;
they are white, with grey speckles, most numerous towards the larger end,
9 lines long and 7 lines broad. A nest built in a ti tree, close to a pathway,

21

was almost daily visited by the child who had made the discovery, and the
eggs inspected ; when hatched the young were now and then handled, yet the
confidence of the old birds carried them through this trying ordeal, and their
young ones were successfully reared.

This is one of the few birds, of whose extinction we are happy to believe
there is no danger ; it is most useful as an insect eater, it is one of the latest
to retire to rest, and may be often observed perched on the trunk of a tree, in
a posture by which its body is almost at a right angle with the tree. The
nests, described above, were found about Ohinitahi, where birds are as much
encouraged, and as little disturbed as possible. Last summer another specimen
was noticed, which had been built upon an old nest, making a solid mossy
structure, measuring about one foot from top to bottom. The usual dimensions
of the nest are as follows :—Across from outside of wall to outside, 5 inches ;
cavity 2 inches 6 lines, with a depth of 1 inch 6 lines.

No. 51.—Perroica tortol, Less and Garn.
Tit.

Whatever distinguishing features, scientific research may have discovered,
which allows specific differences between P. Dieffenbachi and P. toitoi, we fear
they are not generally appreciated or understood. Perhaps this may be a fair
opportunity of pointing out that the nomenclature of our birds still requires
attention, and, above all, settlement ; to the enquiring student of ornithology,
scarcely anything can exceed the perplexity and embarrassment which is
caused by a conflicting nomenclature. To give one instance: Anarynchus
Jrontalis appears in Dieffenbach’s list ; since then we have noticed it as
Charadrius, Hamatopus, and now Anarynchus once more. Let us hope this
may be the last change. We have often observed a Petroica, whose favourite
haunt appeared to be amongst large areas of flax bushes (Phormium tenaa), but
confess we could not undertake to decide to which of the two species, named
above, the Tit, to which we have referred, belonged; nor is there, unfor-
tunately, any complete type collection, either in Wellington or Christchurch,
which could decide any doubt that might be entertained on the subject. We
have a set of eggs in our collection, which we are inclined to assign to the
P. toitoti ; they are slightly more inclined to pyriform, in shape, than those
of P. Macrocephala, white, with marks of purplish-grey towards the larger
end, and measure 9 lines in length, with a breadth of 7 lines.

No. 32.—Perroica Loneires, Less. and Garn.
Robin.

In the Colonial Museum, Wellington, there is a specimen of the nest and
eggs of this bird.

The nest, compactly built of moss, fine roots, web, and tree-fern down, is
more neatly finished than that of P. albifrons. The eggs, ovoiconical in form,
are marked, principally at the larger end, with specks of greyish-brown.

No. 33.—PETROICA ALBIFRONS, Gml.
Totoara.
Robin.

Our rather dirty-looking Robin is one of the sweetest warblers of the
bush, bold and confident, its habits may be easily observed, as one rambles near
the rocky sides of a forest stream. Its nest is wider, and larger altogether,
than that of Petroica macrocephala, but not so closely interwoven ; moss,
sprays, leaves, fine fibres, and grass, enter into its construction. Diameter of
nest 5 to 6 inches, cavity 3 inches, with a depth of 1 inch 3 lines. A favourite

22

situation appears to be behind such protuberances as are to be found on the
huge gnarled trunk of Griselima litoralis, very often not more than three feet
from the ground. Eggs, three or four in number, are dullish-white, with
reddish marks, principally at the larger end.

No. 34.—Antuus Nova# ZELANDIa, Gin.
Pihoihoi.

Lark.

This well-known bird appears to be common all over the country ; it
builds on the ground, making its nest of grass, usually screened by a tussock.
The eggs, five in number, are greyish-white, speckled over with dark-grey ;
sometimes a set of eggs may be noticed very much mottled over with brown,
ovoiconical in form, measuring 105 lines in length, by a breadth of
8 lines) We have an egg, very much smaller and darker than any others
we have yet observed. In February, 1868, a pair made their nest within six
inches of a shrubbery walk, and reared their young successfully, although so
frequently disturbed,—the old bird invariably quitted the nest on its being
approached. When a Harrier wheels round, and appears about to settle,
Larks may often be observed, in numbers, gathering together with a
chirping note, moving restlessly, sometimes with a short flight, watching and
following the movements of their enemy.

Probably it is attempting to rid itself from the persecution of some
parasitic vermin, when this bird is frequently observed to indulge in a dust-
bath. It has a habit of keeping its insect prey in its beak for a long time,
before it is devoured, or carried off to its nest. At last shearing time, two
Larks, almost albinos, made their appearance, daily, about the yards of a
wool-shed, on the Waikerukini.

Notr.—In August, a nest was brought to the Wellington Museum,
which contained several tufts of moss, but not neatly interwoven, like the
workmanship of a bird that builds its nest principally of moss.

No. 35.—ZostTERors LATERALIS, Lath.
Tauhou.

Blight-bird.

We first noticed this bird on some Fagus trees in the Rockwood Valley,
Malvern Hills, July 28th, 1856. Its numbers, since then, have increased with
great rapidity. It very soon obtained the name of the Blight-bird, in recognition
of its services to gardens and orchards, from its habit of feeding on the American
blight, with which apple trees in this colony are so generally infested ; but,

although the gardener noticed with satisfaction its labours in this ducciom
during the winter months, yet as summer returned and fruits ripened, its
incessant depredations on cherries and plums were witnessed with anything
but pleasure. From examining scores of nests, we find that out of a
considerable variety of materials made use of, moss and grass predominate ;
the fabric is strong, although frequently slight, in some cases the walls are
extremely thin; it is usually suspended, at the sides, by fastenings bound
securely over slender twigs; some are almost wholly constructed of grass,
amongst which, now and then, may be found a few small tufts of the grey-beard
moss, in others the cottony down of plants is neatly interwoven with moss and
spiders’ webs, lined with fibres, or fine stems of grass, sometimes with hair ;
some nests are quite shallow, others of deep cup-like form (See Plate 5, Fig. 3),
and measure in diameter 3 inches, cavity 1 inch 6 lines to 2 inches, depth
10 lines to 2 inches. In gardens, it has been observed placed in a great
variety of shrubs, occasionally in a rose-bush bordering a well-frequented walk ;—

never far above the ground, usually from two to six feet. We have found
suspended to our common fern, Pteris aquilina. It lays three clear-blue eggs,
ovoiconical in shape, measuring 8 lines in length, with a breadth of 64 lines :
incubation lasts about ten days. The nest and eggs form as pleasing an object
as those of the Hedge-sparrow at home. The gift of song does not appear to
be equally shared by these birds; in addition to the quick, sharp note or
chirrup, which all seem to have in common, now and then an individual bird
is heard pouring forth a low, well-sustained, melodious song ; possibly the power
may exist in all adult males, only to be indulged in at pairing time.

One of the pensile nest-builders, which seem to be almost equally rare
in our temperate clime as they are in the old country. The suspension of its
habitation is accomplished in a different manner from that of Gerygone, and
more after the fashion adopted by Regulus cristatus, of Kurope, the Kinglet or
Golden-crested Wren, except that the nest is very often formed without any
protection or shelter from an overhanging leaf. The rim of the ladle-shaped
_ structure is firmly secured to a forked twig by silky threads of spiders’ nests,
finished on the outside, round the bottom, ith braces of green leaves of grass,
crossed and recrossed, which add much to the strength rand stiffness of the
fabric.

Now, as pensile nests are peculiarly adapted for ensuring the safety of their
contents against the predatory attacks of various egg-robbers, does not the
suspension of the habitation of the Zosterops,—the instinctive precaution of a
foreign land (See Chrysococcyx lucidus),—aftord an indication that it is a recent
colonist, not yet so thoroughly acclimatized as to be fully aware of the
immunity it enjoys from ravages of snakes, etc.? will that form of nest which
is now sometimes found built 77, rather than suspended from, a bush or thicket,
become a more common object, and thus show a change in the style
of architecture, as this bird, season after season, experiences the comparative
safety of the breeding- places i in our cooler latitude? Amongst our indigenous
genera are there any pensile nest-builders? For years we invariably found
three eggs to be the complement to a nest ; now this last season we have met
with aol instances where four eggs ive been laid, where this has occurred,
the home has been built iv, rather than fairly suspended from, a bush. If the
reason, before suggested, for a modification in the manner of fixing the habitation
be considered as not altogether too fanciful, may we not likewise be allowed to
advance our opinion that the change of clim: ate is also gradually producing its
effects in the increased fecundity of our little Blight-bird.

Notre.—Dec. 4—Nest in a manuka (Leptosper mum scoparium), appeared
to be completely lined and finished. On the 8th it contained three eggs ; the
next day a fourth egg was laid; on the 19th one callow nestling v Vas
exhibiting its ugliness, perfectly naked, except two or three small tufts of white
down on the bald cranium, the body deep yellowish-pink, with dark slatey-coloured
marks along the line of the vertebra, the exterior of wing, and legs. The d: ay
following, his ugliness had a companion, on the 23rd feathers had made their
appearance, where the slatey markings had been noticed ; two unhatched eggs
remained in the nest, which was only visited quietly once a day. |

Young birds, for some time after they can fly well, can scarcely be said to
possess any just pretension to the title of Zosterops, as they are without the
circlet of white feathers round the eyes.

From the large number of nests we have observed, December must be the
height of the breeding season.

The Zosterops is so partial to the berries of the trailing Cotoneaster
mycrophylla, that we have known it to be taken by the hand, when it has been

busily engaged on them ; in the early spring we have observed it eating
clover.

24

No. 37.—RHIPIDURA FLABELLIFERA, Gul.
Piwakawaka.
Fan-tail.

The pied Flycatcher seems to prefer proximity to water in selecting its
nesting-place, we have noticed it most frequently near a creek, where over-
hanging boughs have afforded considerable shade.

The nest, beautifully made, is very compact, and, from our experience,
varies very slightly in shape. The materials are well felted together, moss, grass-
bents, fibrous roots, with cobwebs, etc. ; the structure is fixed on some bough
or spray, the foundation, very frequently, commences with chips of decayed
wood. The prettiest nest we ever found, was on a leaf of the large silver tree-
fern (C. dealbata.) (See Plate 4, Fig, 6.) The eggs, four in number, generally
are white with brown freckles towards the larger end, 8 lines long, by 6 lines
broad. We never found the nest very early in the spring.

Towards autumn this bird frequents the verandah, enters the house,
clearing the rooms of flies, the snapping of the mandibles is plainly heard, as
it flits circling round the room.

R. albiscapa, the fan-tail warbler of Tasmania, builds a nest with a long
tail underneath, giving the whole structure a funnel-like appearance.
Occasionally, R. flabellifera also builds its home with a long tail, but broader
and less artistically finished than that of the R. albiscapa. One nest in our
collection has this peculiar appendage, constructed of skeleton leaves and bents
of grass, etc. What is its use ?

No. 38.—RHIPIDURA FULIGINOSA, Sparrm.
Tiwaikawaka.
Black Fan-tail.

The Black Fan-tail Flycatcher breeds under conditions so very similar to
those of the preceding species, that one description will serve for both. To
our view, the most remarkable feature in the breeding habits of our Flycatchers
is the situation usually selected for rearing their young. Security does not
appear to be the first consideration ; security, by concealment, seems the leading
feature which guides most arboreal birds in choosing the site for their home,
and it is one in which the most admirable displays of instinct may be frequently
observed. The Flycatchers rather appear to be led by the same consideration
which actuate many sea-birds in selecting the position of their breeding-place,
proximity to the food supply. Stroll carefully along the rocky bed of a creek
which rambles through some bushy gully, and you may perchance see the
beautiful nest perched on some slender bough, in so delicate a manner, that it
appears scarcely so much to be fixed, as to rest balanced there. There is no
concealment amongst tangled creepers, guarded with their sharp recurved
prickles ; it is not buried amidst a mass of waving leaves, nor is it hidden
away in the dim twilight of some hollow tree, but there, a few feet above the
water, it sways gently with the subdued breeze, that reaches the quiet ravine
through the leafy canopy that is spread around. ;

In thus placing its nest so obviously in view, one is reminded of its family
connections, of the Spotted Flycatcher (Wuscicapa grisola) of the old country,
which we used to term the Post bird, from the almost glaring manner in which
its unscreened habitation was displayed. But as “there is reason in the
roasting of eggs,” saith the proverb, so there is also instinct in selecting the
place where they shall be laid ; over the shady creek our Flycatcher is in the
midst of sandflies, and the position chosen for its nest affords comparatively as
good a vantage ground for supplying the wants of its young, as the nesting-
place on the craggy mountain side bestows on the dashing Quail-hawk.

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The Black and Pied Flycatchers breed together frequently.

Note.—Dec. 8th—Nest and eggs of 2. fuliginosa tixed on a rock abutting
on the creek in Valehead Bush, Malvern Hills ; within a few feet, on the same
rock, were two old nests.

No. 47.—Puatycercus Nov ZeLANDL&, Sparrm.
Kakariki.
Parroquet.

As far as we are aware, the breeding habits of this variety of Platycercus
differ in no material point from those of P. aurice sys. We have been told that
occasionally it breeds on rocks.

Eggs, oval in shape, measure 1 inch 1} lines in length, by 10 lines in
breadth.

This species is frequently to be seen caged ; in confinement it imitates the
human voice, with tolerable distinctness. This bird, as well as the smaller
species, is frequently shot for food.

No. 50.—PLatTycercus AURICEPS, Kuhl.
Kakariki.
Parroquet.

The smaller Parroquet is a beautiful object, as with merry note it darts
across the forest glade, with its bright green plumage g glinting in the sunshine,
giving at once a foreign impress to the scene, in the mind of the English
settler.

Troglodytal in its breeding habits, it seeks some hollow tree or branch in
which to rear its young ; sometimes its nest is placed between the wood and
the dissevered bark of a decaying tree ; more frequently at the bottom of some
deep hole. The eggs are white, and somewhat oval in shape.

In the gardens situated near bush, the Parroquet becomes a great
purloiner of fruit. Near Arowhenua and Waimate, we have seen it rising in
flocks from the oat-ricks. It is so bold as to be very easily snared with a tohe-
tohe reed, noosed at the tapering point.

It commences breeding in August.

Since the great fall of snow, July, August, 1867, all bush-birds about the
Malvern Hills appear to have become scarcer ; for quite a year after that great
storm, the silence in the bushes seemed quite remarkable, as though entirely
deserted by their feathered songsters. This was notably the case in the
Rockwood Bush.

No. 51.—NeEstor MERIDIONALIS, Gunl.
Kaka.
Bush Parrot.

One of the commonest of our larger birds ; yet in most of our bushes it is not
nearly so numerous as it was a few years since. <A troglodyte it may certainly
be termed, for in the choice of a situation for its nesting-place, it seeks the
shelter of a hollow tree. Sometimes the entrance-hole is a considerable distance
from the nest, which is merely the decaying wood at the bottom of the hole.
It lays four eggs, which, like those of most birds that breed in holes, are white ;
ovoiconical in form, they measure in length | inch 9 lines, by 1 inch 35 lines
Sometimes, before the young are old enough to vacate the nest, it recommences
laying. It is in considerable request as an article of food ; they are fattest in the
great Fagus forests, during the month of April. It is very easily snared, and
readily tamed. The call of one bird in distress will soon cause it to be
surrounded by numbers. A very common artifice is to hold a Kaka by the
wing, its shrill call soon collects a crowd of its friends on the neighbouring

D

26

trees, where they soon fall to the gun of the pot-hunter. During a few weeks,
in July and August, 1856, Kakas were to be seen in extraordinary numbers, they
were poor in condition, perhaps tamed by hunger ; they appeared to have lost
their wonted vivacity, and numbers were cut over with stock-whips, as they
sat perched on the rail fences, about stations on the Malvern Hills. The
earliest bird in the bush, its call may be heard long before daylight.

No. 58.—-Curysococcyx Lucipus, Ginl.
Pipiwharaupa.
Bronze-winged Cuckoo, Whistler.

This beautiful little bird, in some districts, is most commonly known by
the name of the Whistler. It is so called from its peculiarly clear note, which
exactly resembles the sound made by a man whistling his dog.

It is remarkable for the regularity of its annual visits: in the neighbour-
hood of Christchurch it is almost sure to be heard about the 8th of October.
We have a note of its appearing as early as the 27th of September (1855).
The male bird usually selects the topmost sprays of the tallest trees for his
perch, during the time it is giving utterance to its remarkable call; he seldom
remains long in one spot, and indulges in a restless jerky motion of his tail.
The female may be noticed very silently entering, and peering about scrubby
bushes of no great height.

A parasite, like the Cuckoo of our Old Country, it saves itself all the
trouble of nest-building by making use of the nests of other birds, and, of
course, relieves itself of the care of providing for its young. Our experience
points to the little Grey Warbler (Gerygone assinilis) as the most frequent
victim of this “gay deceiver.” The single exception we have ever observed,
was the Petroica macrocephala, another insect-eating bird. We are not quite
satisfied as to the manner in which the egg is deposited by a bird so dispro-
portionate in size to the nest and its porch-like entrance, as that of the Gery-
gone. Either this Cuckoo does not destroy the eggs of the Warbler when it
makes its deposit in the nest, or the bird lays to the egg of the intruder, as
we have taken the nest with three of the Warbler’s eggs, besides the egg of
the Chrysococcyx ; yet, whenever the young Cuckoo has been found in the
nest, it has invariably been the sole tenant, we have not yet been able to
observe in what manner the eggs, or young of the rightful owners have been
extruded. In selecting the nest of so early a breeder as the Grey Warbler, as
a home for its young, it secures certain advantages for the benefit of its
offspring which should not be lost sight of. At the period of the Cuckoo's
arrival the Warbler has most probably reared its first brood, so that even
young birds have had time to gain experience in building their habitation and
rearing their nestlings ; then too, everywhere insect life abounds, so that a_
proper supply of food, sufficient for comparatively so large a bird, can be
obtained by its little foster parents, with less labour and more certainty, than
it could have been secured two months earlier, when several birds commence
their breeding arrangements. It has been noticed, under Gerygone, why
the domed nest is selected, namely, for its warmth. Then, in addition, the
Golden-winged Cuckoo, be it remembered, has a most extensive range, even to.
the tropical islands of New Guinea, Java, and Sumatra—according to Schlegel
—(see “Finsch’s Notes,” p. 118), and it probably chooses a pensile nest,
through the same instinct, a regard to the safety of its young, which causes
the lately-settled Zosterops to continue, for the present, a pensile nest-builder,
though, as we have said elsewhere, we think there are indications of a change
in its style of architecture. The selection, made by this Cuckoo, goes to
strengthen our idea of the non-indigenous origin of our pensile nest-huilders.
The egg, elliptical in form, ple greenish-dun in colour, measures 9 lines in

27
length, with a breadth of nearly 6 lines. Locality, slopes with manuka serub,
in Ohinitahi, Governor’s Bay. The Whistler is a great insect eater, and
appear's especially fond of the well-known ladybird; we are not without
certain suspicions that it devours or destroys the eggs of other birds.

No. 60.—Coturnix Nov ZeLanpia, Quoy.
Koreka.
Quail.

This excellent game bird is almost extinct, but a few years since it
existed in the utmost, abundance ; bush fires, extending often for many miles,
must have been the active agent in destroying a bird possessing such limited
powers of flight, as our handsome little Quail.

A very slight nest, composed of a few bents of grass twisted into a
depression of the ground, was all the artificial shelter this bird relied on, for
the purpose of incubation. The eggs were very numerous ; we have been told
that as many as ten or twelve have been found in a nest, oval in shape, colour
buffy-white suffused with rich brown splashes, with a remarkably glossy
varnish ; length 1 inch 3 lines, by 11 lines in diameter. We have not heard
its callnote, or seen a bevy of Quail, for years. The sheltered valleys round
Lake Coleridge, and about the head-waiers of the Rakaia, were the last places
in which it lingered, to our knowledge. They bred more than once in the
season, as we have a note of abundance of young Quail so late as the 9th and
10th of April (this was in 1857). We have seen it escape the talons of the
Quail-hawk, by dropping perpendicularly, just when about to be struck, when
all hope of escape from its relentless pursuer was quite abandoned. The
flight of the Quail is low, and it used to be said that it would not rise after
being flushed the third time: numbezs were killed by sheep and cattle-dogs in
the early days, when it abounded. In style of fight, our bird must resemble
the Quail of Taberah and Kibroth-hattaavah, that fed the Children of Israel,
in the wilderness :—‘‘And there went forth a wind from the Lord and brought
quails from the sea, and Jet them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey
on this side, and as it were a day’s journey cn the other side, round about the
camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth.” Our bird
is not migratory as we believe. The young, with the exception, perhaps, of
that of Apteryx Owentt, undergoes less change in plumage than that of any
other bird ; the young, when it assumes its feathers, exactly resembles the adult
female, with the white streak along the shaft of the feathers, which adds so
~much to its beauty.

No. 61.—APTERYX AUSTRALIS.
Kiwi.

We have not enjoyed an opportunity of acquiring, from personal observa-
tion, any knowledge of the breeding-habits of the curious family of Apterygide :
a description of the eggs of the different species may be thought not out of
place in the present paper. We believe this species is peculiar to the Middle
Island.

An egg received at the Canterbury Museum from Okarito, or its neigh-
bourhood, is believed to be an undoubted specimen of this species, —it
arrived, in a fresh state, in November. It was white, much blunted at each
end, and presenting a very smooth surface ; this enormous egg gives the fol-
lowing measurements: through the axis 5 inches | line, with a breadth of
3 inches 4 lines.

Rev. J. G. Wood, in his “ Nat. Hist. Birds,” writes of the eggs laid by the
Kiwi at the Zoological Gardens, London : “ These eggs are indeed wonderful, for
the bird weighs just a little more than four pounds, and each egg weighs between

OR

fourteen and fifteen ounces; its length being 4% inches, and its width rather
more than 2 inches.”

The Canterbury Museum also contains some fine specimens of the bird,
obtained from Westland.

No. 62.—ApTERYX OWENII.
Kiwi.

The smallest and most common of the whole family. Specimens of
Owen’s Apteryx are not very rare in collections, but the celebrity which
attaches to this wingless genus is rapidly drawing down destruction upon it.
No mercy is shown to it, and there is no exaggeration in stating that a regular
trade is carried on in specimens of these birds, and the equally unfortunate
Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus). Could not our paternal Government interfere
in behalf of these interesting aborigines, for we believe there are those who
would shoot the Cherubim for specimens, without the slightest remorse. This
species is pecullar to the Middle Island.

An egg in the Canterbury Museum, from the West Coast, measures
4 inches 6 lines in length, with a breadth of 2 inches 7 lines (other specimens we
have measured are of rather larger dimensions) ; colour, white, with a very
smooth surface, blunt at each end.

The young of the Kiwi, without exhibiting any sign of an immature
state of plumage, is disclosed, as it were, from the shell, arrayed in the hair-
like integument of an adult bird. In this species the mottled-grey feathers of
old and young appear to be of same shade of colour,

No. 63.—APpTERYX MANTELLII.
Kiwi.

This is usually known as the Kiwi of the North Island, and it is believed
that it has become comparatively rare during the last few years.

An egg, in our own collection, from Whangaroa, measures not less than
5 inches 4 lines in length, with a breadth of 3 inches 3 lines. This specimen
is white, of smooth surface, rather more pointed at one end than is usually the
case with the eggs of this family.

No. 65.—CHARADRIUS BICINCTUS.

Banded Dotterel.

The family of the Charadriz have always been distinguished for their
wariness, and the artful devices employed to allure strangers from their nest.
Heliodorus gives such a singular reason for its shyness, that we cannot resist
quoting it: “The bird Charadrius cures those who are afflicted with the
jaundice. If it perceives, at a distance, any one coming towards it, who
labours under this distemper, it immediately runs away, and shuts its eyes ;
not out of an envious refusal of its assistance, as some suppose, but because it
knows by instinct, that, on the view of the afflicted person, the disorder will
pass from him to itself, and therefore it is solicitous to avoid encountering his
eyes.” Our banded Dotterel is worthy of belonging to the family of the
Charadrix, for it is one of the most restless and wariest of birds, during the
breeding season. On the approach of an intruder, it flies round and round,
uttering its note of warning, then alighting on some rising ground, it steadily
keeps watch. During the time it remains on the look out, it indulges in a
peculiar habit of jerking its head backwards and forwards, uttering its
monotonous twit, twit, at Intervals.

It commences breeding early in the spring ; its simple nesting-place may
be found on “the plains,” or in river beds. It lays three oval-shaped eggs,

29

greenish-brown, much sprinkled with dark-brown markings ; they measure
1 inch 4 lines in length, with a breadth of 1 inch.

The young are exceedingly active, the little brown puffs of down may be
observed running with great swiftness on being alarmed. In the autumn the
Dotterel assembles in flocks of considerable numbers.

Nores.—August 2, 1856, saw a nest and two eggs, Rakaia river.

September 1, 1856, saw nest and three eggs, Rakaia river.
October 14, 1857, young birds quite strong.

No. A. 65.—CHARADRIUS OBSCURUS, Gml.
Tituriwhatu-pukunui.
Red-breasted Plover.

In Dr. Finsch’s list, in Vol. 1, “Transactions New Zealand Institute,”
this Plover is named Hamatopus obscurus.

This handsome bird is to be met with on hill and plain, yet nowhere in
very considerable numbers. In the breeding season we have noticed it at such
a considerable altitude as the summit of Dog Range, in the Ashburton district.
The nest is difficult to find, it is so slight an afiair that it easily escapes obser-
vation, merely a few stems of grass twisted into a sight hollow in the ground,
so loosely put together that it is not easy to pick it up and yet preserve its
form. The eggs, “three in number, just fill the nest; they are of a delicate
soft-brown, eatased with dark- oat almost black, ome somewhat oval in
shape, in length 1 inch 9 lines, with a breadth of 1 inch 3 lines. The young
run with speed almost as soon as hatched, and conceal themselves with much
skill. Young birds have not the rufous tinge on the breast and upper part of
the abdomen. We have observed eggs and young in the months of October
and November.

Norer.—Oct. 22, 1867—Nest with three eggs ;—saw young Plovers.

The warning-note of this bird sounds like ‘click, click, slowly repeated,

An excellent figure of it, rather warmly coloured, is to be found in Ross’s
““ Voyage of the Erebus and Terror,” Vol. i., plate 9, Birds.

No. B. 65.—ANARHYNCHUS FRONTALIS, Quoy. and Gaim.
Scissor-bill,
Crook-billed Plover,

Appears in Dr. Finsch’s list, “Transactions New Zealand Institute,” Vol. i., as
Hematopus frontalis.

The Crook-billed Plover, at the breeding season, is less wary than any
of its congeners, and its nesting-place Pula be disenvered with very little
difficulty, were it not for the wonderful instinct it exhibits in selecting the ground
for depositing its eggs. They are simply laid, without any preparation, amongst
the pebbles of some river-bed usually, and never far from water, and so well
does their grey tint harmonize with the general colour of the shingle around
them, that their detection would be almost hopeless if this bird was less
confident.

Its oval-shaped eges are three in number, grey stone-colour, with the
whole surface minutely dotted over with black specks; they measure 1 inch
4} lines in length, with a width of 1 inch } line. On approaching the eggs or
young, the old bird trots slowly away, assuming a broader and somewhat flatter
appearance, by slightly extending the wings, making at the same time a low
purring sound.

Breeding season extends from September to December.

The young birds are covered with grey down, and appear to have legs
long, out of all proportion to the size of the body ; at this early stage, the
peculiar deflection of the bill, although slight, is perceptible; it is always

30

turned to the right, or off side. Birds of the year, we believe, do not assume
the frontlet which distinguishes the old birds, and which is broadest in the
male. No satisfactory reason has been given for the peculiar form of the bill
of this bird, which exceeds in length that of C. bicinetus.
Norers.—Sept. 14, 1856-——Saw three eggs on a patch of small shingle.
Oct. 28, 1857— Young birds on the Rakaia river-bed.
Oct. 30, 1867—Two eggs on the bare shingle, Rakaia river.
Nov. 2, 1867—Three eggs chipped, on shingle, Ashburton river.

No. 71.—H#MAToPUS LONGIROsTRIS, Vieil.
Torea.
Oyster-catcher, Red-bill.

The Oyster-catcher is one of the wariest and most restless of our birds,
ever ready with its clamorous alarm-note, to wake up each echo, and disturb
every bird within the sound of its shrill cry ; but in the br eeding-season it exhibits
an intensity of slyness, that is almost supernatur: ul. Usually it breeds in our
river-beds, on the sandy spits, without other shelter than what may be afforded
by some drift flax, grass, or stick, near which it makes, or discovers, a slight
depression, in which to deposit its eggs, which are somewhat oval in shape,
2 a es 3 lines in length, with a diamet er of 1 inch 74 lines; pale or
yellowish-brown ; these are not to be distinguished from those of the European
bird, much covered with irregular marks and spots of rich brown. Usually
three eggs are laid, but we have found it incubating a single egg: the young
are grey, with a dark longitudinal stripe on each side, above the wing. They
ave very active, and are early led by the old birds to the margin of the water-
holes or pools. On being alarmed, the old bird sidles off the nest quietly, takes
advantage of any broken ground that apparently conceals its movements from
observation, and makes a long detour; a close scrutiny will very frequently
enable the observer to detect the head of the bird carefully peering out behind
some vantage-ground, watching all his proceedings.

A very common frequenter of the coast, as its familiar name imports ; in
the winter time it assembles in large flocks on the mud flats disclosed by the
ebbing tide ; though a shore-bird, it is found breeding in solitary couples, often
far inland, cer tainly sixty or seventy miles from the! sea, for instance, up the
Wilberforce river, nearly as far back as the neighbourhood of Browning’s Pass.
A pair will boldly attack the Harrier, male and female striking at the Hawk
in turn, and driving it to a safe distance from their young. Hematopus,
that is, literally, the blood-red foot, one of the birds mentioned by Pliny,
appears to be universally met with.

No. 75.—BorauRus POICILOPTERUS, Wagl.
Matukuhurepo.
Bittern.

Not so frequently met with as before such an extensive breadth of swamp-
land had been drained and cultivated. It was once very common about
Christchurch, ‘the City of the Plains,” it still haunts the banks of the Avon,
and breeds in the neighbouring swamps. The breeding season of the Bittern
must extend over a considerable period, as we have found the eggs, quite fresh,
in the middle of January (15th). A nest near Clearwater, or Lake Tripp, in
the Ashburton country, was built of raupo, (Typha angustifolia), surrounded
by water about ankle deep ; the top of the nest was very flat, and stood about
six inches above the surface of the water. (See Plate 4, Fig. 7.) We have not
seen more than four eggs to a nest, they are oval in form, varying slightly in
colour, f from bufly-brown to pale olive-green. Through ihe axis they measure
2 inches 1} lines, with a diameter of 1 inch 6 lines.

31

No. 78.—Himantorpus Nove ZeLanpi#, Gould.
Poaka.
Pied Stilt.

Usually commences breeding in October, according to our experience,
Unlike the black variety, we have always found this bird prefers swampy
ground, such as fringes the shores of shallow lagoons, as a nesting-place, ete.
Here it may be observed busily wading in the shallow water. In its habits
of nidification, it is as inartificial as its congener. Eggs, four in number,
yellowish-brown in colour, about the same size as those of the Black Stilt, are
profusely marked with very dark brown; we have thought the eggs rather
warmer in colour than those of the black variety. The monotonous call of
pink, pink, has, in some places, fixed on it the trivial name of Pink.

No. B. 78.—Himantorvus MELAS, Homb. et Jacq., ‘‘ Ann. des Sci. Nat., 1841.”
Black Stilt.

Breeds early in the season, seeking the sandy river-beds for that purpose.
The labour of nidification is very trifling, sometimes a nest of grass, etc., is
roughly constructed, now and then this apology for a nest may be discovered
on a log of drift-wood ; much more frequently, however, a slight depression in
the sandy spit, answers all the requirements of this Stilt, as a nesting-place ; it
is never very far from water.

It lays ‘from three to four eggs, rather oval in shape, yellowish-brown in
colour, very much spotted and blotched over with very dark-brown, approaching
to black, measuring | inch 10 lines in length, by 1 inch 3 lines in breadth. The
young can run almost as soon as they are hatched; when disturbed, they
conceal themselves behind stones, or some other shelter, in the most artful
manner ; they are covered with dark-brown down, bills and legs are then very
dark, almost black. The-parent birds exhibit the utmost assiduity in
attempting to lead intruders from their eggs or young, and their numerous
cunning devices are carried on with surprising cleverness and perseverance.

We have been told that there is not a Black Stilt, that the Black Stilt,
so called, is, in reality, but the pied species in an immature state of plumage.
To this we cannot for a moment subscribe, we have never once found the two
species breeding together or using the same, or even similar situations, for their
nesting-place.

Neither Mr. Buller nor Dr. Finsch, we remark, admit this bird in their lists,
but, with the utmost deference to those authorities, we cannot consent to give
up such an old acquaintance as the Black Stilt. Our opinion on this subject, is
shared in by many others, living ‘up country,” who have had good opportunities,
for several years, of observing the breeding habits, and the young birds of both
species of Stilts.

Norers.—Sept. 13—Nest with three eggs, on a spit on Rakaia river-bed.

Dec. 14—Nest with two eggs, on a drift-log in the Rakaia
river-bed.

No. 87.—Ocypromvs AusTRALIS, Sparrm.
Weka.
Wood-hen.

This bird is so mischievous to the fruit garden and poultry-yard of the
up-country settler, that unrelenting war is usually waged against it. Small
fruit, low-growing apples, eggs, and young chickens, form some of the items of
its favourite plunder ; nor is its thieving propensities confined to articles of
food, spoons, pipes, pannikins, and a long list of miscellaneous articles, we have
known this ewrtous collector to carry off. On one occasion, in Alford Forest,

32

a watch was stolen, and accidentally recovered, a few days after, at some little
distance from the hut ; for the Weka, unlike the Jackdaw at home does not
appear to care for a secret hiding-place in which to conceal its pilferings.

We have seen it kill a well-grown Spanish chicken, six weeks old, with
one blow of its powerful bill) Some time since, a Weka appeared in our
garden, much to our gratification, for, in the neighbourhood, the bird was of
very rare occurrence ; ‘all went well till the first brood of choice Dor king chickens
was discovered, and then, well, the Weka had to die.

At night, and before rain, the loud screaming of this bird is most
frequently heard. The nest is found in a variety of situations, such as in a
tuft of Celmisia, grass-tussock, or sometimes in a thicket of young plants, on
the outskirts of the bush ; we have observed it under the shelter of a rock,
without any attempt at concealment, which the tussocks growing close by
would have afforded. Grass is usually the staple material of its home, which
is large, and basin-shaped within. The eggs, from five to seven in number, are
white, with reddish marks generally distributed over the surface ; but in many
specimens the colouring 1s most abundant at the larger end, The young,
covered with very dark down, may be observed, like chickens, following the
old bird, who collects them around with the call of toom, toom, repeated
quickly, and much lower in tone than the booming note to which the Weka
sometimes gives utterance, and which is probably the call of the male. As the
young grow up, the dark-brown of its early days gives place to a more mottled
plumage when about one-third grown ; although the legs become lghter in
colour, the beak still retains its dark appearance. There is much difference in
the size of Wekas, some of the hill-birds are very large, and we expect that
before very long they will be classed as a separate species.

A very light-coloured specimen was observed near Mount Hutt, last year.
Numbers of these birds are killed for their oil, which is much esteemed by
bush-men for a variety of purposes ; properly dressed, they are excellent as an
article of food, due care being taken as to where they are obtained, as they are
very foul feeders.

No. 91.—PorpHYRIO MELANOTUS, Temm.
Pukeko.
Swamp-hen.

This beautiful rail delights in swamps, where its nest is also to be found,
built of grass ; the top is sometimes more than a foot above the ground, and
not unfrequently it may be observed surrounded by water. The number of
eggs to a nest varies consider ‘ably, as we have found from two to seven, five
may be considered the usual complement, in shape ovoiconical, greyish- a
with dots and blotches of reddish-brown, measuring through the axis 2 inches
2 lines, with a diameter of 1 inch 6 lines. These dimensions appear very
small for so large a bird, more especially when compared with those of the egg
of Apteryx Mantelli. The young run about as soon as they are hatched, and
on being disturbed conceal themselves with great art. They are thickly
clothed with black velvety down, interspersed with fine hair-like points of
silver-grey ; legs dullish-red, beak has a yellowish ivory look, which contrasts
pleasingly with the rest of the body. The Pukeko is esteemed excellent
eating.

No. 92.—CasaRCA VARIEGATA, Gil.
Putangitangi.
Paradise Duck.

This well-known bird often chooses the shelter of a huge tussock, beneath

which to make its nest ; sometimes a hole in a rock is chosen in preference.

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We know a large rock, on the bank of the Rakaia, where a pair of these birds
breed every year.

The nest is warmly lined with down ; nine eggs are sometimes found in a
nest, but not often bave we notized so large a number ; they are large, creamy-
white, ovoiconical, vary somewhat in size, even in the same nest; length
2 inches 9 lines, with a diameter of 1 inch 10 lines. The Paradise Duck leads
its brood to water very soon after hatching. The parent birds may be noticed
surrounded by their tiny young ones, spending nearly the whole day upon the
water, even when the usually smooth surface of the lake has been lashed into
foam-crested waves by a furious Nor’-wester. They enter the lake after the
sun is well up, and remain till late in the afternoon ; this is daily repeated, the
young birds gradually venturing farther from the old ones, and may be
observed darting about with the greatest activity.

This bird employs the wiliest stratagems to lead the wayfarer from its
nest or young.

Nores.—October 24, 1855, noticed nest with eight eggs, Malvern Hills.

November 1, 1867, saw nest with five eggs, another with six
eggs, on the Potts river.
December 2 , 1867, Duck sitting on five eggs, Rangitata river.

The congress of the sexes takes place in water, after the manner of the
common Goose. When young, the flesh of the Paradise Duck is very good
eating, but in old birds there is a degree of toughness, that only the sharpest
appetite can overcome.

The young are easily tamed, and feed amicably with other poultry ; but
unless confined when spring sets in, they are almost certain to ramble away
and be lost.

No. 93.—ANAS SUPERCILIOSA, Gul.
Parera.
Grey Duck.

One of the commonest game-birds left to us by the eager sportsman. We
have found the nest of the Grey Duck in so many situations, differing so
entirely in character, that it would be difficult to pronounce any one position
as the favourite site for its breeding-place. Sometimes close by the edge of a
bush creek, amongst damp shady ferns; out on the plain, sheltered by a
tussock, quite away from water; often on a hill side. Yet, whether on the
level plain or in a swamp, its cup-shaped nest is most profusely lined with
down, and diffuses a strong musky odour, The eggs, usually nine in number,
are creamy-white, occasionally varying a little in size and shape, some are
ovoiconical, others broadly oval; 2 inches 6 lines through the axis, with a
diameter of 1 inch 83 lines, is the measurement of a large specimen ; whilst we
possess specimens that measure but 2 inches 3 lines in length, with a diameter
of 1 inch 7 lines. On referring to many notes on the numbers of eggs laid by
the Grey Duck, an entry appears of ten eggs in a nest, found December 10th,
near a lagoon by the Rangitata, the largest number of which we have a
memorandum. We have seen the young quite tame, and associating with the
common domestic Duck.

No. 94.—ANAS CHLOROTIS, Gray.
Puteke.
Teal.

Very much scarcer of late years than we can remember it. A few years
ago we used to hear tales of almost incredible bags of this excellent game-
bird; a few more years of inconsiderate slaughter, will make the Teal
rarity.

E

34

The nest is made of grass, thickly lined with down, sometimes close to the
edge of a swampy creek, or beneath the sheltering leaves of a large
“ Maori-head” (Carex virgata).

The eggs are large for the size of the bird, cream colour, not unlike those
of the Mountain Duck, in tint, but perhaps slightly darker ; length 2 inches
5 lines, diameter 1 inch 10 lines, We have not found more than eight eggs
to a nest. On a pond at Rockwood, in the Malvern Hills, three Teal
fraternised with some tame Paradise Ducks, and came regularly, to be fed,
every day, with pieces of bread.

No. 96.—FvuticuLa Nov& ZELANDIzZ, Gul.
Papango.
Black Widgeon.

In the hill-country, a few years since, this was sufficiently common ; a
small tarn, near Lake Coleridge, yet retains the name of Widgeon Lake, from
the numbers which formerly frequented it. Near one small pool in the
Ashburton country, where it bred in considerable numbers, neither birds nor
nests are now to be met with.

A gregarious bird, it delights to assemble in large flocks, and may be seen
on some of the more secluded lakes, swimming about, and disporting with
numbers of other water-fowl, very frequently diving. Sometimes it breeds in
the shelter of a huge “ Maori-head.” We have found it well concealed by a
large snow-grass tussock, within a few feet of water, where there was a
rent or crack in the ground. Nest of grass, thickly lned with down,
contained five eggs of a deep cream-colour, ovoiconical in form, measuring
2 inches 8 lines, with a diameter of | inch nearly 9 lines.

No. 98.—HyYMENOLAIMUS MALACORHYNCHUS, Gul.
Whio.
Blue Duck, Mountain Duck.

The only way of seeing this singular bird to advantage, is by paying a
visit to the mountainous districts. On a mountain torrent, where the foaming
water dashes from rock to rock in countless eddies, the Mountain Duck lives
at ease, making its way up or down stream. Sometimes it may be observed
basking in the sunshine, near a shallow pool of the rapid streamlet.
Sometimes it is a burrower, and its nest may be found in a hole in a bank ;
we have found it concealed from view by overhanging sprays of those various
alpine Veronicas, which sometimes make the mountain creeks in the back-
country perfect gems of beauty. The nest, like that of other ducks, thickly
lined with down, we have found to contain five eggs, of a deep-cream colour,
elliptical in form, measuring 2 inches 84 lines in length, with a diameter of
1 inch 9 lines.

One of our early breeders; we have known the young brood to be
swimming about by the end of September. We have seen nests of eggs in
October and November. A much frequented breeding-place is above the
gorge of the Potts river,—a tributary of the Rangitata.

No. 99.—Popicrrs RUFIPECTUS, Gray.
Toatokipio.
Dab-chick, Little Grebe.

This bird is far from uncommon, and is to be met with on lakes, lagoons,
and deep creeks that run still and swift, unlike the noisy torrents in which the
Mountain Duck delights.

The nest is rather a large and somewhat clumsy structure, formed of the
roots and leaves of various aquatic plants. We have found it built against

Ox

oe

the stem of the Carex virgata, beneath the drooping leaves of which it was
perfectly concealed from casual observation. Situated just within the swampy
side of a small lake, it was raised a few inches, only, above the water-level.
We have invariably found two eggs to a nest; they are greenish-white,
frequently with wart-like protuberances, and more or less weed-siained.

Eggs from the same nest occasionally differ a little im size, as may be
observed from the following measurements : length 1 inch 9 lines, by a diameter
of 1 inch; whilst another egg, from the same nest, measured in length | inch
64 lines, with the same diameter as in the longer specimen, The lobed foot of
the Grebe is a remarkable peculiarity, assisting it to swim and dive with great
rapidity ; in its habits it appears much more restless and fidgetty than the
large Crested Grebe. The young is greyish-brown on the back, warm-rufous
on the neck and breast, lighter on the abdomen ; the head is beautifully mottled
with black, and rich reddish-brown alternately. When alarmed on the water
the parent birds have a knack of tucking the young under the wing, so that
its head is alone visible; they dive and swim, thus encumbered, with the
greatest ease.

No. 100.—Popicers Hecrori, Buller.
Crested Grebe.

One of the most ornamental of the water-fowl, that add so much to the
interest of the lake scenery of our Southern Alps. In April, 1856, we first
made its acquaintance, on a small lake, now called Lake Selfe. It appears to
move about in pairs, as a single couple is usually found (or rather was to be
found) associating with nearly every group of Ducks that dotted the little
secluded bays of the lakes.

The Grebe swims low in the water, with a certain air of demure gravity,
which affords a marked contrast to the rapid movements of most of the other
natatorial birds, with which it so frequently associates.

We have found the nest in November and December. The structure is
large, and very solidly built of pieces of decayed Carex virgata, raised about a
foot above the level of the water; its sloping sides give a ready means of
reaching the basin-lke depression on the top, in which the eggs are deposited.
(See Plate 4, Fig. 5.) In several instances we have observed that the nest
had been constructed on the top of an old stump of Carex virgata, situated in
a shallow part of a lake, distant from twenty to one hundred yards from the
shore. Last Spring, in the little boat-harbour on Lake Coleridge, belonging
to Mr. Oakden, tliere happened to have been thrown a quantity of cut flax,
which the bight of a chain prevented from drifting out to the luke ; a pair of
Crested Grebes built on this floating mass, and succeeded in rearing their
young ; it should be added, this harbour is not much used, and the proprietor
is a careful protector of our native birds. We have known three instances, in
which the nesis have been submerged by the rising waters of the lake, an
indication that such mishaps must frequently occur, which may perhaps in
some measure account for the comparative rareness of this Grebe.

The eggs, three in number, are at first greenish-white, but very quickly
become stained over, entirely, with yellowish-brown, from the water and
weedy slime adhering to this bird’s flat lobed foot. Eggs elliptical in form,
measuring through the axis 2 inches 4 lines, with a breadth of 1 inch and
nearly 7 lines. We believe that an interval of two, perhaps three, days occurs
between the laying of each egg. The young bird is pale-brown with dark
brown marks. During incubation the Grebe maintains an upright posture,
with its long graceful neck held erect, so motionless its attitude, that at a dis-
tance it rather resembles a stick than anything endued with life. Watchful
and shy, it noiselessly dives, immediately it discovers itself observed. The

of
P10)

power of diving, and the faculty of remaining under water for a considerable
time, is too remarkable a characteristic of this bird to be passed over without
notice.

No. 104.—SpHENIscus MINOR, Forst.
Korora.
Small Penguin.

One of our commonest sea-fowl ; and certainly a frequent burrower in
its mode of nidification.

We have found the Penguin breeding every year, in the inner chamber
of a deep cave, perfectly dz wk ; a hollow, scraped out of the sandy bottom of
the cavern, half filled with fish bones, formed the nesting-place, in which the
eggs were deposited. We have always found two eggs, as the complement of
the Little Penguin.

The eggs are white and very smooth, but soon become stained ; they are
broadly oval, and measure, through the axis, 2 inches 2 lines, with a diameter
of 1 inch 9 lines. The old birds defend their nests with great spirit, using
beak and claws most vigorously, making at the same time a noise not unlike
the mewing of a cat.

We have observed these birds breeding during the months of November,
December, and January. They breed in great numbers amongst crevices of
rocks ; in sand-banks, their tunnels are bored with great neatness, with a run
frequently extending a considerable distance. The entrance generally exhibits
a perfectly round hole, about three or four inches in diameter, and from whence
is diffused a most powerful odour. The young, we have found in the nest
when nearly full-grown ; their slatey-bluish plumage is brighter than that of the
parent birds. We have an egg, very much encrusted, showing a departure from
their usual appearance, which is usually as white and smooth as that of the
domestic fowl. In retreating to the sea, its action is peculiar, walking it can
scarce be called, it appears to throw the whole body forward, and shuffles along
with an undulating motion, which gives the Penguin more the appearance of a

5
large grey rat than that of a bird.

No. 126.—Larus pominicanus, Licht.
Kororo.
Grey Gull, Black-backed Gull, Large Gull.

Our larger Gull breeds.on the sea-shore, upon the sandy spits in the river-
beds. The rough-looking nest is large, usually made of grass, sometimes of small
tussocks pulled up by the roots. We have noticed these birds visiting the
breeding-ground early in August, but have not seen the eggs till some weeks
later, apparently these must have been visits of inspection, when they busied
themselves about the nests in rather a clamorous manner for several days in
succession. The eggs, two or three to a nest, are ovoiconical, measuring
2 inches 10 lines in length, by 1 inch 10 lines in width. The colour varies
from shades of light-grey to brown, covered, more or less, with grey and brown
marks and blotches. The young are well covered with grey down at first, they
assume, gradually, a mottled-brown plumage, the bill still dark, presenting a
marked contrast to adult birds. The parent birds defend their nest with great
spirit, a pair will drive away, and give chase to, a Harrier. Their olfactory
organ must be most acute, as they find out the carcase of a dead sheep or
bullock with great readiness.

We have often been amused by watching their grotesque action in
following a retreating wave, where the sea has rolled in heavily on the inclined
sandy beach. A number of these Gulls wait till the wave has just expended

a
oi

its force and follow the retreating waters rapidly, by a series of hopping jumps,
feeding the while, and sometimes only just avoiding the next incoming wave,
by taking wing for a few yards with apparent reluctance.

No. 127.—Larus scoputrnus, Forst.
Tara-punga.

Little Gull.

During the breeding season, our very pretty Little Gull frequents the
river-beds, and shores of ‘lakes, in very large numbers. It deposits its eges
with scarcely any of the preparation that “distinguishes the larger species of
Gull. The eggs are usually found on the bare ground ; at most a few bents of
grass, amongst the stones, sufficing for a nest. “The eggs, often broadly oval,
sometimes ovoiconical, are of different shades of greyish-brown, plentifully
besprinkled with Beecer marks and blotches of grey and brown. Length,
2 inches | line, by a diameter of | inch 6 lines.

No. 129.—Srerna caspia, Pall.
Fish-hawk.

This fine Tern is content with merely a hollow scraped in the sand, just
large enough to contain the eggs ; the breeding season extending from
November to January ; our earliest note of having seen the egg, is dated
November 14th.

The eggs, usually two or three in number, ovoiconical in form, measure
2 inches 7 ‘lines in length, with a diameter of 1 inch 9 lines; we have a
specimen from Lake Ellesmere, much smaller than is shown by this measure-
ment ; the eggs are of varying shades of pale greyish-brown, richly spotted
with Gant! -grey and brown, distributed all over the surface e; In some specimens
these markings are most numerous at the larger end. When these birds are
disturbed at breeding-time, they ascend to a great height, and hover around
the intruder, uttering loud screams. We have found the young as large as the
adult Larus scopulinus, before they were able to fly. Have found this bird
incubating a single egg.

No. 130.—StTERNA LONGIPENNIS, Nordin.
Whale-bird.

The black-billed, swallow-tailed Whale-bird seems constantly to frequent
our coasts and harbours, the liveliness of its movements on the wing, especially
the rapidity with which it drops from a great height to secure its fimny prey,
frequently renders it an object of remark to the dwellers on the sea- shore, it
deposits its egg on the bare rock, without the slightest protection, at a distance
varying from about five to six feet and upwards from the level of high tide ;
the egg must often le within reach of heavy showers of spray. Ovoiconical in
form, “generally, but sometimes rather oval, the egg measures 1 inch 10 lines in
length, with a diameter of 1 imch 4 imee Colour varies from shades of
pale-grey, sea-green, stone-colour, or light-brown, lightly freckled with brown,
or profusely blotched with slatey-grey, and chesnut-brown, to almost black.
The young covered with mottled-grey down, varying in shade to almost brown,
are quite helpless for two or three weeks after hatching, and appear quite
unable to attempt securing safety by swimming, like young Gulls, when
alarmed ; they retain the grey feathers on the head even when well- -grown.
Great quantities of small fish may usually be noticed surrounding the young
birds. We believe this bird lays but one egg, but are aware that others
entertain a different opinion. On a rocky point, in Port Cooper, which is

9
rene

washed with err nen showers of spray under a strong N.E. breeze, we
observed about 200 birds breeding ; except in three cases ae the eggs were
solitary.

Note.—Dec. 14—Found two eggs lying together, differmg im size and
colour so much, that there is not much doubt they were the produce of
ditierent birds.

No. 131.—Srerna Antarctica, Forst.
Common Tern.

In this paper on our Birds, the nomenclature followed is that which is
given in Dr. Otto Finsch’s Notes, “Trans. New Zealand Institute,” Vol. i.,
pp. 122-5, but in the case of this bird we prefer adhering to the name
assigned to it by Forster. In a note in the volume referred to, page 121,
S. antarctica, Forst., is asserted to be the same species as S. minuta, Linn.
Mr. Buller, in his “Notes on Herr Finsch’s Review,” tacitly admits this by his
silence ; we think this must be an error. Yarrell, in his “ History of British
Birds,” Vol. ii., p. 525, writes of S. minuta, “their eggs are of a stone-colour,
spotted and speckled with ash-grey and dark chesnut-brown, the length 1 inch
4 lines, by 11 lines in breadth.” This measurement is exactly the size of the eggs
of the next species, which we have numbered A. 131, whereas the eges of the
yellow-billed S. antarctica measure in length | inch 6 lines, by a breadth of
1 inch 13 lines, and present a very striking contrast in colour; they differ also
in shape. On referring to our collections of British and New Zealand eges,
and comparing the eggs of these species of Terns, any hesitation we may have
entertained about the correctness of adhering to Forster, instead of the more
modern authorities, is removed. The Common Tern, very often termed the
Whale-bird, seems even more gregarious thin its congener S. longipennis, that
is, taking into consideration its habits throughout the year. It may be
observed hovering over the newly-ploughed fields. in great numbers, in search
of larve of various insects ; the small lizard seems a fyeun ite morsel, and may
frequently be noticed dangling from the beak of this Tern.

We have remarked, several times, a curious habit of this bird, which
presents a singular appearance to the gaze of the traveller: a large flock will
rest eye onlecs on the ground, with their delicate bluish-grey wings extended
vertically, and will m: uintain Ais singular posture for some time. It deposits
its eggs, two in number, on the ance ground, without any attempt at
nidification ; ovoiconical in form, they measure in length 1 inch 6 lines, with a
breadth of 1 inch 1} lines. In ‘colear very boncdeeible variety 1s oxhibned
dull grey, greenish- ‘white, pale-green, pale-brown, with small brown ma kings
distributed over the surface generally. This Tern is remar kably clamorous at
the breeding season ; and should a traveller approach their ground, the intruder
is instantly assailed by them with swift dartings, accompanied by noisy, harsh,
grating screams. The young birds remain about the breeding-ground for some
Sees. till they can fly well.

No. A. 131.—STERNA

A very small Tern visits the Rakaia river-bed during the breeding season,
not far below the gorge of that great river. There aloes not appear a exist
ay description of it, either in Mr. Buller’s Essay, Dr. Finsch’s Notes, or in
Mr. Buller’s Paper of August 25, 1868. It lays its eggs, two in number, on
the bare ground, they are stone-colour, blotched over with grey markings, and
measure through the axis 1 inch 4 lines, with a diameter of 1] lines. I¢ is
not at all a common bird in that locality, and was not observed there last year.
In the Museum at Christchurch, are two specimens of a small Tern, obtained
in the province ; in all probability, the eggs noticed above, belong to indi-

(1) New Sp. 2erecs gould, f, 4nsrh

39

viduals of this species. They are labelled Sternula nereis, and measure, total
length 10 inches 7} lines, length of wing 9 inches 1} lines, bill from gape
1 inch 9 lines, Aas (C lines : ; colour, above, silver or French- -grey, forehead
white, back of head and nape of neck black, black streak round the eye, bill
and feet yellow: the eggs above noticed were discovered in November.

Since the above was written, through the zeal of a friend residing near the
Rakaia, we have received two eggs of this inter esting bird ; they were found
in November, hard set. On comparing them with the egg of S. minuta, of
Europe, in our own collection, we find them of rather a broader oval in shape,
of the same length, with a breadth exceeding that of the European species by
13 lines ; but so close is the general resemblance between them, that they
might be easily supposed the produce of individuals of the same species. The
ege of the Lesser Tern, S. minuta, is less eccentric in its colour and marks
than those of many other species of the genus.

No. 139.—GracuLus BREVIROSTRIS, Gould.
Black River-shag.

Breeds on the shores of the lakes in the interior, where these birds
congregate in considerable numbers, probably depending on the fresh water
Unio, for some portion of their food supply. Like the Rook, and the Heron,
of Europe, it builds in company, within the space of a few square yards many
nests may be counted; the favourite breeding-place appears to be scrub, on
some of the steep and lofty banks of the lake shore. The nest is large, chiefly
constructed with sticks procured from the dead scrub, amongst which may be
found the dead flower-stalks of Aciphylla squarrosa, grass forming the lining
material. The eggs, four in number, are greenish- ne with “the chalky
encrustations characteristic of the Poticanida, elliptically shaped, they vary
considerably in size, especially in the measurement through the axis, as from
2 inches 6 lines, to 2 inches 2} lines, with a breadth of 1 inch 6 lines. When
freshly procured from the nest they give out that peculiar odour which
distinguishes those of the Procellaridie, in common with the eggs of the
Pelicanidee, truly ‘‘a most ancient and fish-like smell.”

No. 142.—Dysporus serRATOR, Banks.
Gannet.

An egg of this bird, in the Colonial Museum, Wellington, gives the
following measurements, which correspond very nearly with the size of the
English species : length through the axis 3 inches 1} lines, with a breadth of
1 inch 10 lines, White in colour, with the rough chalky surface which
distinguishes the eggs of the Pelicanidee,

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