PASSl^RES. 23 



foundation slipping hctween the leaves, was built up till it reached 

 the great length of 16 inches. We have found others placed on a 

 rock ; and one, now in the Colonial Museum, was built between the 

 brace and shingles in the roof of an empty cottage.'^ — Potts. 



28. PetrcBca longipes. Less. 



Wood Kobin. Toutouwai. 

 G-reyish-black, with a small white spot over the bill, and a broad band of pure white 

 from the breast to the tail. 



Young. — Very little white on the abdomen, and frontal spot obscure. 

 L., 6-66 ; W., 3-75 ; B., -75 ; T., 1-48. 

 l£gg. — Like P. albifrons. 

 Hah.— 'North. Island. 



" This species is confined to the North Island, where it is very 

 common in all the wooded parts of the country : but it is represented 

 in the South Island by a closely-allied and equally common species, 

 the 3Iiro albifrons. There is a specimen of the North-Island Robin 

 in the Auckland Museum said to have been obtained at Nelson ; but I 

 have never found this bird south of Cook Strait, and vice versa as 

 regards the South-Island Robin. The two species may therefore be 

 regarded as true representatives of each other in the North and 

 South Islands respectively. 



" As the popular name implies, it is naturally a tame bird ; and 

 in little -frequented parts of the country it is so fearless and unsuspi- 

 cious of man that it will apj)roach to within a yard of the traveller, 

 and sometimes will even perch on his head or shoulder. It is the 

 favourite companion of the lonesome wood-cutter, enlivening him 

 Avith its cheerful notes ; and when, sitting on a log, he partakes of 

 his humble meal, it hops about at his feet, like the traditional Robin, 

 to ' pick up the crumbs.' Like its namesake in the Old Country, 

 moreover, it is noisy, active, and cheerful. Its note is generally the 

 first to herald the dawn, while it is the last to be hushed when the 

 evening shades bring gloom into the forest." — Buller. 



29. Potroeca albifrons. Gml. 



Wood Eobix. 



Blackish-grej, with a small white spot over the bill, and a broad band of yellowish- 

 white from the breast to the tail. 



The young; has very little white on the abdomen, and the spot over the bill is obscure. 



L., 7-5 ; W., 4 ; B., -85 ; T., I'o. 



2<Jgg. — Dull white, with gi'eyish-brown marks, principally at the larger end ; length, 1 ; 

 breadth, "7. 



JIali. — South Island. 



80. Petroeea traversi. Buller. 



CnATHAM-ISIAXD EOBIN. 



The whole of the plumage black, the base of the feathers dark plumbeous; wing-feathers 

 and their coverts tinged with brown, the former greyish on their inner surface ; tail- 

 feathers, black, very slightly tinged with brown ; irides, dark browu ; bill, black ; tarsi and 

 toes, blackish-brown, the soles of the feet dull yellow. 



