10 M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. [.sf^'juiy 



for itself. There are always camps about the edge of the bush. 

 Felling starts early ; after that is over there is scrub-cutting 

 till the fire ; sowing takes place as soon as it is possible to get the 

 seed on to the burnt ground ; and then, when that is completed, 

 feUing starts afresh. These, with fencers' and splitters' camps, 

 all help in the destruction of the unfortunate Pigeon.* 



After all, with so much bush being cleared, and the consequent 

 yearly decreasing food supply, no law of man can save the number 

 of the birds ; but let us hope that when the destruction of our 

 forests practically ceases the birds may hold their own. 



Harpa novae-zealandiae— Bush- or Quail-Hawk. 



Buller, " Birds of New Zealand " (2nd edition), p. 213. 



Although the Bush-Hawk was not plentiful, a good deal was 

 seen of this spirited little Falcon during my stay. On the northern 

 side it was to be seen chiefly about the tawa bush. There I had 

 not the same facilities for observing it as were presented in the 

 more open and partly cleared country of the southern parts, and, 

 though not more plentiful, much was seen of the bird in pursuit 

 of its prey. 



On wet or foggy mornings its shrill cry was occasionally heard 

 from the top of some outstanding dead or dying tree, but when 

 attacking the Harrier a sharp chattering note is sounded. On 

 misty days the Bush-Hawk is more or less on the move ; but in 

 fine weather is generally seen on the war-path in early morning 

 — often at daybreak — or towards evening, and has been disturbed 

 while plucking a freshly-killed Pigeon at dusk ; but as soon as the 

 sun is well up it retires to the shade of the bush, where it may be 

 found sitting quietly, and allowing a near approach, upon a limb 

 under the dense foliage of a smaller tree. From this position, 

 however, sudden sallies are made through the trees, in the hope 

 of picking off some luckless bird. When thus on mischief bent, 

 the whining cry of the Tuis, and uneasy stir among the Bell-Birds, 

 herald his advent On these occasions the Bell-Birds are very 

 concerned indeed, and glimpses are caught of them as they dash 

 round corners, as it were, into low thickets, without a sound, 

 but with the greatest haste and confusion imaginable. In this 

 way many of the smaller species are taken : As the sun dips, 

 about 3 o'clock, the Bush-Hawk glides quietly out over the bush, 

 and sails silently above the tops with ever-vigilant eye for a bird 

 in an exposed position. A slight divergence in his direct flight 

 indicates when a glimpse of one has been obtained ; but on he 

 glides. There is method in his hunting. He does not sail up 

 and down the valley, where all may see and take timely warning. 

 Rather, he tips the tree-tops, following the undulations of the 

 bush, thus suddenly opening up a fresh vista at every turn, and, 



* For the credit of the Dominion, it is hoped that this fine endemic Pigeon 

 will be properly protected, so that it may hot become extinct like the famous 

 Passenger-Pigeon of America, which less than half a century ago existed in 

 millions. — Eds. 



