78 M'Lean, Bush-Birds of Neiv Zealand. [^„d"oci 



yellowish-pink, and in another reddish-gold — not at all the bright 

 crimson of that of the common Warbler of this district, which I 

 take to be P. ftavivenU'is. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, while pointing out 

 the differences, and expressing himself satisfied as to the distinct- 

 ness of P, macleani — with blackish lores — from the examples of 

 P. igata from Dusky Sound (South Island), thinks that there is 

 a possibility of seasonal changes in the plumage accounting for 

 the difference noticeable between my specimens — shot in winter, 

 and in freshly-moulted plumage — and those of P. ftaviveniris — 

 in worn phimage — which he has at his command for comparison. 

 To settle this point. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant requires further specimens 

 of our lowland form, in winter plumage. In this, I am sorry to 

 say. I have, up to the present, been unable to assist him ; for 

 our \\ arbler has been declared a protected species, and should not 

 be killed. However. I hope ere long to obtain such examples, 

 and forward them to him, together with, if possible, summer skins 

 of the higher bush form, so that he may clear up the confusion 

 which exists with regard to the genus in New Zealand. 



I may say that the only Warblers shot appeared at the time 

 wilder than those I had been accustomed to, and one -the only 

 one of them heard singing — seemed to have a louder, sharper 

 song. I distinctly noted, on the southern side, in the following 

 year, a note superior to that of the ordinary bird, but on in- 

 vestigation found the bird too wild to allow a close view : and I 

 was unable at a distance of about 30 yards to detect any difference 

 in its plumage. To my mind, there is a form which is uncommon 

 in the higher Maunga-Haumia ; but I think the lowland form, 

 to which the following notes may. for the j^resent. be referred, 

 is also there. 



The Warbler was fairly common all over the bush, where it 

 could be seen, generally in pairs, in the low scrub or hunting high 

 in the tops of the larger trees. Its creaking song of four or 

 five warbled notes was seldom audible during the winter, but 

 became a familiar sound in spring. Thev were observ'ed building 

 their pear-shaped, pensile nests in the beginning of October in 

 the scrubby country, and one pair, on the outskirts of the bush, 

 had their nest completed on 20th October, but either a Morepork 

 or Cuckoo (Chalcococcyx lucidtis) pulled the side out a little, and 

 the birds deserted it. Their nesting seemed a little later here 

 than in the lower country. 



The Grey Warbler is fairly common in the open country, and 

 nests in our shrul:)beries and gardens near the towns. (For nest 

 see Plate VIII.) 



A Correction. — Mr. Mathews writes concerning his article in 

 The Emu, vol. x. : — " On p. 320, for ' Genus Ixviii. — Omit. 

 Hydroprogne is not separable from Sterna,' read ' Not separable 

 from Genus Ixvii. Unite genera Ixvii. and Ixviii. under the 

 name Tlialasseiis.' 



