Best. — Maori Forest Lore. 283 



of cliffs, hills, and ridges seem to have been selected as places whereat to 

 take the titi. A net about 20 ft. or 30 ft. in length was set up on the edge 

 of such cliff or slope. This net was fastened to poles or stakes inserted in 

 the ground. Each pair of stakes was lashed together at the top, thus form- 

 ing an inverted V — so A Where these two stakes crossed and were lashed 

 was termed the mata tauira. The upper rope of the net was called the 

 fama-tane, and the rope on the lower edge the tama-wahine. The net was 

 made of flax-fibre. Old persons, past their hard-working days, spent much 

 of their time in making nets, snares, &c. These birds were taken at night- 

 time, about November. A fire was kindled in front of the net and a little 

 distance from it. Behind the fire, and immediately below the net, the 

 fowlers were seated, each having a short stick in his hand wherewith to 

 strike down the witless birds. The birds, attracted by the fire, flew to it, 

 and came into contact with the net. Ere a bird recovered from the shock 

 it was struck down by the fowlers. A foggy or misty night was considered 

 best for taking these birds. Two men only remained standing : their 

 task was to strike down the high-flying birds that flew against the mata 

 tauira. Should the first bird taken chance to fly against the tama tane, or 

 mata tauira, that was looked upon as a sign of poor luck — but few birds 

 would be taken that night ; but should it strike low down the net, at or 

 near the tama wahine, that was an excellent omen — many birds would be 

 taken. If a menstruating woman chanced to be among the party of fowlers 

 a very poor bag was the result — the birds would fly about, screeching loudly, 

 but keep clear of the net. Also, the fowlers were careful not to cause any of 

 the birds to bleed. If any blood were drawn, then no more birds would 

 come near the fire. 



Great numbers of these birds were taken by such means in former days, 

 before the European rat appeared on the scene. The birds were plucked, 

 cleaned, and the bones taken out ; then they were prepared at the ahi matiti 

 for potting. 



A large number of places are pointed out here as former ahi titi, mostly 

 on the higher ranges, as those of Huiarau, Maunga-pohatu, &c., and at 

 Wai-kare Moana, 0-tukopeka, Te Rua-ngarara, Taumata-miere, and count- 

 less other places. 



Titiporangi. — The only note I have anent this bird is, " A forest bird, 

 smaller than a titi. It has disappeared from this district. It was dark- 

 coloured on one side and light-coloured on the other." This is the render- 

 ing of the original Maori. Williams gives titiporangi as a name of the black 

 teal. 



Tititipo. — This was given me as a bird-name, but more 1 cannot say. 



Tititipounamu. — See Toirua . 



Tiivaiwaka, Tiival-aivaka. — See Piivaitvala. 



Toetoe. — Same as kuJiurutoki. (See latter.) 



Toirua. — See under 3Iomotawai. 



Totorori. — See under Riroriro. 



Totororire. — See under Riroriro. 



Turi-whekoi-rangi. — A sea-bird. 



Tuturiwhatu {Ochthodromus obscurus ; Dotterel). — The name of this bird 

 is connected with that of one of the sisters of Taukata — he who brought the 

 knowledge of the kumara to Whakatane. The two brothers, Taukata and 

 Hoaki, had two sisters, Kanioro and Tuturiwhatu. These were the children 

 of Rongoatau, of Hawaiki, and descendants of Pani and Rongomaui. This 

 Tuturiwhatu met with an accident and had her chest burnt. The bird 



