596 



Transactions. 



The Shining Cuckoo. 



Five years ago the notes of (1) and (2) were taken down, and the bird 

 noted as unknown, as it was elusive and would not permit itself to be seen ; 

 but on speaking to another North-Islander I discovered the notes were 

 those of the shining cuckoo. They have been heard every year in Boleyn's 

 Bush, Stony Bay, being noted on the 28th December, 1913, as in (3). The 

 notes start fairly loudly, in a clear open whistle, and gradually increase in 

 loudness, dying off on the final slur ; the interval of the slur varies, as in- 

 dicated. In each couple of notes the first is accented, the second staccato. 

 The number of upward slurs constantly varies. The theme (3) may be 

 whistled independently, or continued into (4) or (5) ; and again (4) and (5) 

 may be whistled independently. The Maori called the shining cuckoo " the 

 bird of Hawaiki," as though they had known it before their migration to 



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New Zealand : it is hardly probable that they knew of its migratory habits 

 — at any rate, it is not known that they knew of them ; and, as regards 

 the long-tailed cuckoo, they said, through probably they did not believe, 

 that as the cold days approached the bird cast its feathers and took on the 

 shape of a lizard, changing to a bird again as the warm summer nights caused 

 a new growth of feathers. They say the cry of the shining cuckoo changes 

 as the days grow warmer, from kui kui te ora, kui kui te ora, to witi ora, witi 

 ora. The variants (4) and (5) were more frequent on hot north-west days, 

 and on those days the bird seemed most lively in song ; the upward slurs 

 of (5) might be vocalized wit, and all the downward slurs tin, but I have 

 heard no notes that could be vocalized either kui kui te ora or witi ora. 



The Haurikiriki. 



In the bush close to Hokitika I heard the theme (4), and thought I 

 recognized the slurred note, though the others, except in quality, were new. 

 There were several birds, feeding and travelling together : one would start 

 the song, others would join in on the second or third note, and all the birds, 

 apparently, come in on the slur. It was a bright, cheerful call, and as soon 

 as I saw the singers I recognized them at once as the bird I have doubt- 

 fully called a hedge-sparrow in previous notes : some have suggested it may 



