50 ()LI\'ER, lairds of Little Ikirrlcr Island. U^tfZ^ 



A detailed examination of the stomach contents of the Moreporks 

 from Little Barrier Island, made subsequently to my visit, showed 

 that their food consists almost entirely of insects. In all the 

 (six) stomachs examined no other kind of food was found. Remains 

 of a larjre beetle, Stelhaspis stttitralis, formed the bulk of the contents. 



Nestor meridionalis. Kaka. — This species of Parrot was observed 

 in small numbers chiefly in kauri forests on the ridjres. On noticing 

 the visitor, they invariably utter warnin^r screeches, then circle high 

 overhead, and with further harsh cries disappear in the bush. 



Cyanorhamphus novaezelandiae. Red-fronted Parrakeet. — Small 

 flocks met with throughout the bush from sea level to summit. 



Cyanorhamphus auriceps. Yellow-fronted Pai*rakeet. — Stated by 

 the caretaker to he seen occasionally. 



Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae. Pigeon. — Frequently met witn in the 

 bush, attracting attention by their noisy flight. During the summer 

 time there is abundance of fruits on which they feed. These include 

 the taraii'e, tawa, nikau, karamu and puriri. In the winter, Pigeons 

 are obliged to subsist mainly on leaves, of which they devour large 

 quantities. Mr. Nelson has observed them eating the leaves of 

 Muehlenbcckia complcxa a>id Coprosma rhamnoidcs, both of which are com- 

 mon on the lower ground. 



Halcyon (Sauropatis) sanctu.s. Sacred Kingfisher. — The Kingfisher 

 is quite common along the shore, and goes a little way inland on the 

 shingle flat and up the gullies. Its main fare is probably composed 

 of insects. On the shingle beaches, however, a small black lizard is 

 very common, and this the Kingfisher is quick enough to catch, and 

 so materially adds to its fare. 



Acanthisitta chloris. Rifleman. — The caretaker, Mr. R. Nelson, 

 states that he occasionally comes across this species in the bush. I 

 did net see it. 



Miro longipes. North Island Wood-Robin. — Extremely rare on the 

 mainland, these friendly birds, thanks to the protection afforded by 

 the sanctuary, are plentiful throughout the forest on Little Barrier 

 Island. They are usually encountered singly or in pairs, but so quiet 

 and gentle are they in their movements that their presence is not de- 

 tected until one stops and listens, when, perhaps within a yard or 

 two, one hears the movement of a leaf. They appear to like human 

 company, of which they are quite fearless, and will come hopping along 

 and turn over dead leaves looking for insects almost at one's feet, 

 every now and then turning their heads to look at their newly-made 

 friend. 



Myiomoira toitoi. North Island Tomtit. — Equally fearless and plen- 

 tiful as the Robin, Tomtits are much more restless and quick in their 

 movements. They appear to be incessantly flying about from twig 

 to twig, resting for a moment in all sorts of attitude.s, all the time on 

 the lookout for insects, while occasionally peering at the visitoi". 



Rhipidura flabellifera. White-shafted (Pied) Fantail. — Very com- 

 mon everywhere on the island. They always make their presence 

 known to the visitor, hopping about and twittering within a few feet 

 of him, without, however, intenoipting their chase for small insects, 

 which they catch on the wing. 



Maoricerygone igata. Grey Warbler. — Fairly common in the 

 bush. Its call is more often heard than the bird is seen as it does 

 not, liki' the Fantail, Robin and Whitehead, seek out the visitor. 



Anthus novaeseelandiae. Pipit (Ground Lark). — X few aie found 

 on the shingle flat. 



.Mohoua albicilia. Whitehead. — This species is common throughout 

 the bush, being usually seen in small flocks. As soon as the visitor 



