72 M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. [, 



Emu 



tuaries to preserve the last retreats of this tame and tuneful bird 

 ere it be too late. — Eds.] 



Petroeca toitoi — North Island or Pied Tit 



Duller, " Birds of New Zealand " (2nd edition), vol. i.. p. 39. 



The Pied Tit was in autumn fairly common throughout all 

 the bush, but less so in winter, showing some preference for the 

 more open, sunny parts. It was at all times particularly plentiful 

 about the edges, and appeared quite at home amid the logs of the 

 adjacent " burns," and in the neighbouring grassed country was 

 a conspicuous object as it played about the rotting timber and 

 scrubby second growth. Although they were more or less paired, 

 these did not keep in very close company : so the female, of 

 sombre colours and unobtrusive habits, was easily passed over, 

 and was far less frequently observed than her conspicuous black- 

 and-white consort. Neither does she possess the somewhat 

 startling " See-see-see " of the male, with which to proclaim her 

 presence. He is a lively little bird, and, like his relation, the 

 Robin, is ever anxious to make one's acquaintance, but is bolder 

 and more inquisitive, becoming quite excited if suddenly dis- 

 covered, circling round the intruder in short flights, from stem 

 to stem, with much mixed curiosity and alarm. Usually, however, 

 he throws himself, as it were, against the side of a handy bole, 

 and, clinging, often with head downwards, transversely to the 

 bark, remains intent, and with his bright little eye observes the 

 stranger, occasionally giving a spasmodic twitch as if undecided 

 whether to remain or not. Or perhaps he alights upon a stump 

 or branch near by in more easy attitude, there to sound his call 

 and remain a while with tail cocked up and wings a little down : 

 but that undecided air is ever present, and, after a short scrutiny, 

 he is gone, to repeat his cry some distance further on. It is at 

 these times that one obtains a good view of what may be termed 

 the wax and wane of the white spot situated immediately over 

 the bill. When first he settles this mark is not noticeable, for, 

 in his excited state, the black feathers of the forehead are some- 

 what raised, and appear to depress and hide the few white ones 

 below, but as he slowly resumes his tranquillity, and the feathers 

 assume their normal position, the white spot gradually appears, 

 and, with varying intensity, glows until at last, with confidence 

 regained, it is quite conspicuous. This spot is also present in 

 the female, but, through want of contrast with the surrounding 

 colours, is not so apparent. She, too, is rarely inquisitive, and a 

 single hushed " See " is, I think, her only note. But she is quite 

 as active as her partner, and the call " See-see-see," if softly 

 sounded, rarely fails to produce some slight curiosity, and often 

 brings her close to the observer. Strange, though, the male is 

 absolutely indifferent to this imitation. 



The clear, penetrating call of the male Pied Tit is unmis- 

 takable and of peculiar sweetness. It may be heard fairly 

 frequentlv throughout the day during autumn and winter about 



