Philpott. — Notes on the Birds of South-western Otago. 205 



Art. XXVIII. — Notes on the Birds of South-western Otago. 



By Alfred Philpott. 



Communicated by Dr. W. B. Benham, F.R.S. 



[Bead before the Otago Institute, 7th October, 1913.] 



From the 6th July, 1911, to the 11th May, 1912, I had the pleasure of 

 conducting a weekly " Nature Column " in the Southland Times. During 

 that time many interesting letters dealing with our native birds were sent 

 in, and I have thought it advisable that where these contained new or little- 

 known facts such should be placed on record. In addition, I have given 

 a few observations of my- own. To my many careful correspondents my 

 best thanks are due, and I have also to express my indebtedness to the 

 editor of the Southland Times for the opportunity afforded of getting into 

 touch with other observers. The names used are those adopted by Hutton 

 and Drummond in " The Animals of New Zealand." 



South Island Crow (Glaucopis cinerea). 



Mr. B. Stocker writes, " In the wooded parts of the high country above 

 Pegasus (Stewart Island) the native crow is still plentiful and very tame, 

 that part of the country being pretty well left to the native fauna." This 

 interesting bird is also to be found in the bush-covered coastal ranges west 

 of the Waiau River, and probably has a secure and permanent home through- 

 out the suitable portions of the National Park. 



Grey Warbler (Pseudogenjgone igata). 



The grey warbler is one of the most common of the smaller bush-birds. 

 It does not seem to be in any danger of extinction, the smallest patch of 

 bush almost always sheltering a pair or two. It also visits orchards, gardens, 

 plantations, and hedges. 



South Island Robin (Miro albifrons). 



Up to eleven or twelve years ago robins were common enough in the 

 bush round Invercargill. In September, 1901, I found a nest containing 

 two newly hatched young birds. It was built in a sapling some 12 ft. or 

 14 ft. from the ground. The parent bird left the nest and fluttered anxiously 

 round almost within arm's length. On being offered a small worm in the 

 palm of the hand, she, after a little hesitation, seized and swallowed it. Since 

 about that time the bird seems to have disappeared from the neighbourhood 

 of Invercargill. 



The robin still holds out in some parts of Southland. Mr. Jules H. Tapper, 

 writing on the 20th July, 1911, says that a few are still to be found in the 

 bush near Clifden, though he says, " I am sorry to say that the robins here- 

 abouts are the only specimens that I have met with on this side of the Waiau 

 River. It is only a few months ago that I went from the bottom to the top 

 of Lake Hauroko without seeing any traces of them, and six months ago 



