102 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Orthonyx. — New Zealand Canary, two species (Popokatea). 



These birds live mostly on insectivorous food. 

 Sphenoi:acus. — Swamp-bird, two species (Kotata). 



When passing a swamp one will »often hear a peculiar 

 whistle, and very soon these inquisitive birds come so near, that 

 it could be sometimes caught with the hand, were it not so cun- 

 ning in secreting itself in the rushes. They live mostly on insects. 



Gerygone. — Warbler, three species (Riroriro). 



They are insectivorous birds, their thrilling notes and artistic 

 nest are well known. 



Petroica. — New Zealand Eobin. 



The five species of Petroica (New Zealand Robins) live 

 entirely on insects ; they are very tame birds. I had them 

 several times sitting on the barrel of my gun when watching 

 other birds, or picking up insects at my feet when digging, or 

 chopping wood. The song is very melodious, especially that of 

 Petroica longipes (North Island Wood Robin). 



Anthus NOv^E-ZEALANDiiE. — Ground Lark (Pihoihoi). 



This bird lives mostly on insects, also the two species' of 

 Turnaijra (Thrush), which are getting very rare. 



Rhipidura. — Fantail (Piwakaivaka). 



Everyone admires the two species of these fty-catchers, and 

 their graceful evolutions in catching their prey, in the act 

 of which, a snap of the bill can be distinctly heard. On 

 the West Coast Sounds, where the sandflies are in myriads, 

 I saw in the little clearing near the hut as many as twenty of 

 these fly-catchers in pursuit of sandflies, from early morn till late 

 at night. 



Glaucopis. — Crow, two species (Kokako). 



These birds feed mostly on berries and young leaves ; their 

 notes are very melodious, similar to those of a flute. In the pair- 

 ing season, the movements of the male are most amusing, with 

 spread wings and tail, and outstretched neck, performing most 

 extraordinary evolutions similar to dancing. 



Creadion. — Saddleback, two species (Tieke). 



They are very useful in destroying insects, picking them out 

 of rotten wood and between the bark, similar to the Wood- 

 pecker ; they also 6uck honey out of the blossoms. 



Heteralocha. — Huia. 



These are also insectivorous. 



CucuLnxa:. — Two species. 



They lay their eggs in the nests of the Robins or Warblers, 

 which have to collect insects from early morn till late at night to 



