'^'^[- _'^'-] M'Lkan, Bush-Birds of Neiv Zealand. 15 



lattis) is in the habit of accompanyinf< the Hocks of Yellowheads 

 {Clitonyx ochrocephala) in the South Island. I he winter flocks of 

 the Whitehead here were specially watched, in the hope that 

 Creadion might be with them too ; but, instead of the Saddle- 

 back,* it was found that the Parrakeets were sometimes in attend- 

 ance, not actually following, but moving with them in the higher 

 trees above, and it was rarely that a large flock was unaccom- 

 panied. They appeared much attached to these flocks, and even 

 the shooting of one of their number did not cause them to desert 

 the Whiteheads. Unlike the other birds which sometimes fol- 

 lowed the Whiteheads, they seemed to possess something more 

 than cupboard love for their little friends. When any excitement 

 occurred the Parrakeets would remain chattering in the tree- 

 tops, but took no active part in any disturbance, and moved on 

 again when the flock resumed its straggling march. In winter 

 they feed to a great extent upon the tawari, and at other times 

 upon different berries in the scrubby parts. The cro}) of one 

 obtained in July contained the pulp of tawari seeds, also a few 

 seeds of one of the coprosmas, the berries of which the bird had 

 been eating. This bird was in good condition, while one examined 

 in the following October was quite poor, and had only a few 

 minute seeds in its crop. They were fond of the rimu berries, 

 too, and a few of these tall trees were much frequented by them 

 in March and April of 1907. In a way they are noisy little birds, 

 but the notes are soft and musical, and do not jar upon the ear. 

 A bubbling note I likened to the sound of water, in a thin 

 stream, falling into a partially filled bottle. There are also many 

 little whistled notes. The commonest note heard sounds like 

 " Whui-whuick." At the nest the old birds scold one loudly with 

 a sharper chattering than is usual, but often fly to a neighbouring 

 tree with a peculiar short clap-clap of wings, where they wfll 

 utter a soft " Whuick " occasionally. This is gradually subdued 

 until only just audible. 



The natives called the Parrakeet the " Footballer." On Ix'ing 

 questioned as to the reason for this, one said, " Oli ! he got the 

 jersey — red and green — all right, and sing out ' Free kick ' all the 

 time ! " 



On my arrival in April I found that these birds were nesting, 

 and, although too late for eggs, some of the nesting sites were 

 examined. Many of the smaller-trunked birches (A^. solanderi) 

 had small holes in them high up where branches had decayed. 

 These holes were utilized by the birds. Sometimes the nest 

 would be situated near the entrance, but its position depended 

 upon where the obstruction in the cavity of these decaying trees 

 occurred to prevent the dry wood and leaves, which formed the 

 nest, from faUing further down. These trees, though tall, were 



* In a note in The Eiiiti (October, 1906) it is mentioned that among other 

 birds observed here was Creadion carunculatus. As the single bird seen 

 was not positively identified, and as I never saw another, it is left out of 

 my list, and was not included in that in The Ibis. 



