Mr. J. Haast on the Birds of New Zealand. 101 



tudes are birds. Amongst them we may assign the first place to 

 the White Crane {Herodias flavirostris) . This magnificent bird 

 lives principally in the plains, where the rivers, flowing over 

 shallow shingly beds, afford it sufficient opportunities of fishing. 

 Sometimes it is observed sitting motionless on the top of a high 

 tree near the water's edge, and it is really beautiful to see its 

 graceful form and snow-white plumage sharply defined against 

 the deep-blue sky. It is very difficult to approach it, as it is very 

 shy, and takes to the wing at the least noise. The Bittern 

 {Botaurus melanotus) and the Grey Crane [Herodias matuka) are 

 also occasionally met with. In the plains, too, we find large num- 

 bers of the Paradise Duck [Casarca variegata), generally in pairs 

 together, but sometimes in large flocks, breaking the stillness of 

 the scene by their shrill cries. The most abundant member of 

 the family Anatidce, however, is the Whio, the Blue Duck of the 

 settlers {Anas malacorhynchus) . It is found in all the rivers, 

 and is easily killed. It appears to prefer shady places and the 

 deep pools formed in the gorges of the streams and rivers, but 

 is also found in the plains. In the open districts, and on the 

 outskirts of the forests, we also find two members of the Falcon 

 family. The largest of them, the Falco harpe^, is a stupid bird, 

 remaining quietly perched on a branch whilst the traveller ap- 

 proaches. It is not so bold and pugnacious as the smaller Falco 

 brunneus, which is frequently met with, and which, whilst rearing 

 its young ones, fearlessly attacks any intruder who may happen 

 to come near its nest. One day, walking along near the margin 

 of the forest in Camp Valley, my hat was suddenly knocked ofi" 

 my head, and at the same time I heard a shrill cry. On looking 

 up I found it was one of these courageous little Sparrow-hawks 

 which had attacked me, and which, after sitting for a moment or 

 two on a branch, again pounced on me ; and although I had a long 

 compass-stick in my hand, with which I tried to knock it down, 

 it repeated its attacks several times. The presence of my whole 

 party even did not intimidate them, and they frequently exhi- 

 bited their courage by attacking us. We met with another in- 

 stance of the courage of these birds in the Matakitaki plains. 

 A White Crane of large size, standing in the water, was attacked 

 * Hieracidea novee zelandlce. — Ed. 



