392 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1924 



part of his neck wearing a collar of gray, threadlike plumes with 

 an outward curve. There is also a prominent white spot near each 

 shoulder, and from the throat of the adult bird hang two tufts of 

 white, curly feathers that look for all the world like the white bands 

 of an ecclesiastic. Moreover this prominent "choker" can readily 

 be seen as the bird flies about from tree to tree ; and it is impossible 

 to mistake him for any other species. In the Auckland district he 

 is most likely to be found in the " ranges," so, one fine day, accom- 

 panied by Mr. R. A. Falla, (R. A. O. U.) of Devonport, we made 

 a field trip to these hills, where ayc saw a number of tuis, beautiful 

 pied f antails {Rhipidura flabellifera) , silver eyes {Zosterops caeni- 

 Zescews), and many another beauty in the tree ferns, shrubs and other 

 foliage ; while, flying high in the air, was a hawk (probably Nesierax 

 australis), a colony of parrots— very likely of the introduced Rosella 

 parakeet— and a number of others. We took our luncheon on the 

 slope of a guUey whose sides and bottom were covered with a won- 

 derful array of tree ferns, while our tablecloth was spread on a bed 

 of New Zealand bracken of sufficient thickness to raise it well above 

 the level of our feet. Here, while we discussed our simple meal with 

 an outdoor appetite, Falla, an experienced ornithologist, gave the 

 tui call and before long there was an answer from the depths of the 

 forest. Then two birds came within plain sight, and after looking 

 us over approached so that with our glasses we could study them in 

 every detail, even to the whitish line that separates the nuchal 

 feathers and the white spots on the wings. 



Greenbie (The Pacific Triangle— 1921) says of the parson bird: 

 " No sound of bird in any of the many countries I have been to has 

 ever filled me with greater rapture than did this. There are thous- 

 ands of skylarks in New Zealand, brought from England, but had 

 Shelley heard the tui he might have written an ode more beautiful 

 even than that to the "blithe spirit" he has immortalized." 



Buller (Manual, p. 10) remarks that "Owing to its excellent 

 powers of mimicry, and the facility of rearing it in confinement, it 

 is a favorite cage bird, both with the natives and with the colonists. 

 Although of very delicate constitution, it has been known to live in 

 confinement for upward of ten years. More frequently, however, 

 it becomes the subject, after the first year, to convulsive fits, under 

 which it ultimately succumbs. Cleanliness, a well-regulated diet, 

 and protection from extremes of temperature are the proper safe- 

 guards. Naturally of a sprightly disposition, it is cheerful and 

 playful in captivity, incessantly flitting about in its cage and mimick- 

 ing every sound within hearing. It will learn to articulate sentences 

 of several words with clearness and to imitate the barking of a dog 

 to perfection. The Maoris appreciated the mocking powers of this 

 bird and devoted much time and patience to its instruction." 



