299 



When New Zealand Colonists, ill the 'early days,' as they like to call them, decided 

 the question whether the 'White-eye' was indigenous or a visitor from some distant 

 country, they agreed that it should be given a welcome, partly because it did not shun 

 civilization like some of the native birds, and partly because its presence gave an additional 

 charm to the sylvan scenes wherein it was to be found. Hefore long they began to regard 

 it as a nuisance. Invading their orchards, though insectivorous, it pecked the plums, 

 cherries, and apples unwarrantably. Its romantic arrival was regarded as a curse rather 

 than a blessing-. Presently, however, the laudowuers changed their opinion. Their apple 

 trees were attacked by American blight [Schizoneura lanigera). and the ' White-eye ' dealt 

 with this pest so thoroughly and effectively that it completely cleared many orchards and 

 left them clean and sweet. Since then it has been treated almost with affection. In recog- 

 nition of its excellent work in this direction it is now known as the " Blight-bird." 



At one time public feeling was so strong against it that a crusade was organised for 

 its destruction : but now it is allowed to live without molestation. Although not protected 

 by law in New Zealand, it is not rare. Its greatest enemies are the Maoris, whose custom 

 was to preserve large numbers of ' White-eyes ' in fat every year as a supply of food. The 

 bird is so small that the Maoris give it no further preparation than plucking the feathers. 

 Head, bones, feet and all were eaten. It is nevertheless now firmly established as a New 

 Zealand bird, and is both ornamental and useful. Most New Zealanders gladly allow it 

 such fruit as it takes in return for its pleasant company and for the quantity of blight that 

 it destroys. 



Christchurch, N.Z. J. Dkummond." 



ZTbc flDontb's Hrnvals. 



I was interested to see half-a-dozen Green Jays at Mr. I)e Von's, which arrived about 

 18th January. The first two that reached this country were sent me for insuection by Mr. 

 Cross, of Liverpool, but I think Mr. De Von lias handled nearly all those that have been 

 imported subsequently. The sexual differences of this species have not, I think, been 

 quite accurately defined as yet. Mr. De Von himself thinks those with a narrow white- 

 frontal band are hens. The majority of those imported are of this type and have the white 

 band about a quarter of an inch in width. There was one bird in this consignment which 

 had the frontal stripe fully one half-inch in width, which, if this distinction is correct, 

 should be a cock. 



When a dealer gives an unbiassed opinion I am always inclined to give due weight to 

 it, because he sees many things at a glance which we only see dimly, and I think it quite 

 possible that this maj' be a correct method of sexing the species, especially as an aviarist, 

 who is convinced he has a true pair, states that his hen has a narrow frontal band tinged with 

 carmine. At the same time my own experience has not confirmed the observation. One of 

 the first two Jays I obtained had the band tinged with carmine but, after the moult, this 

 colour disappeared and, from their manners, their similar voices, and the fact that both 

 uttered what can only be called a kind of song, I came to the conclusion that both were 

 cocks and I have for some time past been on the look out for a hen. In this last consign- 

 ment I noticed one bird distinctly smaller than the rest, with a smaller beak, a smaller (and 

 paler) eye and in particular witli quite a different note. Mr. De Von obliged me by sending 

 it down for closer examination. I find that its measurements are from one-eighth to one- 

 sixth smaller than any of my birds, that the area of blue beneath the eye is smaller, that its 

 wings are green (not blue-green) and its breast deep orange (not chrome 1 . I think it pro- 

 bable therefore that this is a true Xanthura luxuosa, whereas the others are probably ".' 

 peruviana. If, however, these three birds are all of the same species, then this bird is 

 almost certainly a hen of A', luxuosa. It is worth noting that the females of the Blue- 

 bearded and Pileated Jays are very unlike the males both in size and in voice. 



Mr. Us Vou has also imported some Guans, namely one Ked-taiied Guau and four Oi 



