10 



NEW ZEALAND BIRDS. 



produces a sharp clicking sound like the strikiug oi' two quartz stones 

 together : the sound lias a fanciful resemblance to the word ' stitch,' 

 whence the popular name of the bird is derived. The female also 

 utters this note, hut not the former one ; and, being recluse in her 

 habits as well as silent, she is seldom seen." — Bulleh. 



Peosthemadera. Vig. and Ilorfrf. 



Fifdi and sixtli quills nearly equal, and longest ; tho third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, 

 notched in tlio middle of the inner web ; tail, long, roundc'd. 

 New Zealand and the Auckland Islands. 



10. Prosthemadera novsa-zealandiee. Gml. 



Paeson-eied. Tui. 

 (Plate YI.) 



Bluish or greenish black, with luetallic reflections ; the hind neck ornamented with a 

 collar of soft filamentous plumes, curving outwards, and with a white line down the centre; 

 white spot on each wing ; throat ornamented with two tufts of white curly feathers. 



Albino varieties occasional!}' occur. 



L., 12-5 ; W., 6-3 ; B., 1-3 ; T., l-l.. 



lS(j(j. — Ovoid, often elongated ; white, or pale pink, spotted with rufous-brown, prin- 

 cipally towards the larger end ; length, 1'2 to 1'45 ; breadth, • 8. 



Jiab. — Both Islands and the Chatham Islands. 



" Owing to its excellent powers of mimicry, and the facility of 

 rearing it in confinement, it is a favourite cage-bird, botli Avith the 

 natives and the colonists. Although of very delicate constitution, it 

 has 1)cen known to live in confinement for upwards of ten years. 

 More frequently, however, it becomes subject, after the first year, to 

 convulsive fits, under which it ultimately succumbs. Cleanliness, a 

 well-regulated diet, and protection from extrem.es of temperature are 

 the proper safeguards. I had as many as ten of them caged at one 

 time ; but they died off one by one, and invariably in the manner 

 indicated. Naturally of a sprightly disposition, it is cheerful and 



