188 Transactions. — Zoology. 



I made a stay at the West Coast Sounds in the South 

 Island, in 1884, where the Bell- bird is not so common, the 

 specimens which I procured in Dusky Sound being considerably 

 larger, darker, and softer in plumage than those of the North 

 Island. Male and female differ in size and plumage, the latter 

 being smalhr and duller. I feel sorry that these birds have 

 also disappeared, in some localities, as they brighten the 

 melancholy stillness of New Zealand forests by their powerful 

 song, and are very useful in destroying numerous insects. 



Art. XXIII. — Ornithological Notes. 



By A. Keischek, F.L.S. 

 [Read before the Auckland Listitute, 20th September, 1886.] 



Creadion carunculatus. — Saddleback {Tieke). 



This bird derives its popular name from a peculiarity in the 

 distribution of its two strangely contrasted colours, uniform 

 black, back and shoulders ferruginous, the shoulders of the 

 wii:gs forming a saddle. In structure it resembles the starling 

 {SturnidoB) ; it has also the wedge bill. In December, 1877, on 

 my expedition in the South Island, I found this bird on the 

 chain of high ranges along the left bank of the Teremakau 

 Eiver, but it was rather scarce. I have seen it frequently near 

 Lake Brunner and on Greenstone Hill, also on Mount Alexan- 

 der, and in April, 1879, on Mount Alcidus, Kakaia Fork. 



During my researches in the North Island, in 1880, I found 

 this bird on Hauturu Island, but rare, and again in October, 

 1882, when I went to the centre of the island, but it was 

 still scarcer. On my visit to Taranga Island, in November, 

 1880, I was greatly pleased to find the saddleback in abun- 

 dance ; and on a later trip, in February, 1883, it was still more 

 numerous. On my first trip, in 1880, to this island, I found a 

 saddleback's nest about 10 feet from the ground in a manuka 

 tree ; this nest was made of moss, twigs, and fine grass, 

 with one white bro^\aiish-spotted c^^ in it. In February, 1883, 

 on exploring in a north-easterly direction, I heard a peculiar 

 whistle, which differed from that of any other New Zealand 

 bird. On going closer I perceived five birds, and, concealing 

 myself, in order to watch them, to my surprise I saw male, 

 female, and three young Crcadiun carunculatus. The female was 

 feeding the young birds, which had just left the nest. I first 

 shot the parents ; the young, which had never moved from the 

 branch, I gave to Dr. Buller, F.E.S., with a description, and 



