Letters from the Pacific. 397 



igata is anotter bird which I often observed^ and in very 

 different localities — in the woods, in the scrub, in the plains, 

 and nearly up to the foot of the glaciers. I may mention here, 

 by the way, that only this one species of Gerygone is known in 

 New Zealand, as of the second species described by Mr. Potts 

 nothing more has been heard, the type itself, unfortunately, 

 not having been preserved. In habits and manners Gerygone 

 igata resembles altogether our Phylloscopus, whereas Zosterops 

 lateralis reminds one of our Titmice. In the same way they 

 go in flocks of from ten to twenty, chirping from tree to tree, 

 inspecting leaves and branches from above and below for 

 insects. I saw the Zosterops only in the North Island ; in 

 diiferent places it was very plentiful, but only in the bush and 

 in dense forest. Of other Passerine birds (besides Heteralocha, 

 which I have mentioned already), I noticed or obtained 

 Glaucopis tvilsoni near Wellington, Sphenoeacus punctatus and 

 Keropia near Wanganui, and the Tui {Prosthemadera novce- 

 zealandicE) in several localities on the North Island. This 

 bird can scarcely escape the observer, as its wonderful and 

 varied voice attracts the attention of everybody. It is by no 

 means shy, although generally hidden in the foliage of trees 

 and undergrowth. The Tui is much prized by the natives on 

 account of its flesh, which I may state, from experience, is 

 very good to eat. When staying at Parehaka (the home of 

 the famed prophet Te Witti) I saw baskets full of prepared 

 Tuis and Pigeons, as a great festival was in preparation, at 

 which these birds were to make a chief dish. 



The wonderful New-Zealand Pigeon {Carpophaga novce- 

 zealandice) is already very scarce in the South Island, but 

 still numerous in the North Island. I heard of it in the 

 valley of the Tasman river, near Mount Cook, and met with 

 it in the wood of Ohinemutu and near Wanganui. 



This Pigeon forms a prominent article in the poultry- 

 markets of New Zealand, amongst which that of Wellington 

 seemed to be the best provided with game. I found there 

 Anas superciliosa, A. chlorotis, A. gihherifrons, A. rhynchotis, 

 Faligula nova-zealandia, Pukekas [Porphyrio), Black and 

 White Swans, and even Nestor meridionalis. 



SER. IV. VOL. VI. 2e 



