148 MUTTON BIRDS 



delight in its attachment to gardens and nectar- 

 bearing blossoms, and still observe its Robin-like 

 trust during the breeding months, in the friend- 

 ship of man, is owing greatly to the Weka's 

 vigilance. 



By a stricter protection of the latter bird, and 

 by the planting of suitable alien shrubs, I am 

 convinced the numbers of our Bell-birds could 

 be largely increased. 



I think further, that after the cares of family 

 life had ceased. Bell-birds, like Tuis, would 

 travel miles for suitable food; and that gardens 

 even at considerable distances from any of our 

 large forest reserves, would be thronged vd.th 

 these small songsters. 



