174 M'Lean, Bush-Birds of Neiv Zealand. [isf''jan 



was not unusual to meet with three or four flocks during the day. 

 Their food consists of the smaller insects and their larvae, but 

 occasionally the seeds of certain trees are eaten. With chattering 

 call, the members of the flock move slowly through the tops of 

 the smaller trees in a loose, straggling body, and in a more or less 

 definite direction, assuming all possible positions while examining 

 every nook and crevice in the bark and leaves, sometimes poised 

 in the air, examining the tips of the leaves ; at other times 

 clinging, with tail pressed tightly against the supporting trunk, 

 and tearing off chunks of moss and lichen with their strong beaks, 

 in search of the hidden insects. The tail feathers, which become 

 in time much worn, are inbent, and the stiff shafts project slightly 

 beyond the vanes. These, together with the muscular legs, are well 

 adapted to the bird's mode of climbing about the trunks and 

 branches in its systematic hunting. When feeding on the seeds 

 of the tawari {Ixerha hrexioides), which was plentiful on the ridges, 

 it was interesting to see the birds hanging below the bunches of 

 pods, which are borne at the tips of the branches Elsewhere 

 I have seen them mingled with a flock of Blight-Birds {Zosterops 

 ccendescens), feeding in the same manner from the pods of the 

 tawhiwhi {Pittosponnn temiifolium) and karo (P. cyassifolium). 

 Over these trees ran many vines {M iiehlenheckia adpressa), whose 

 clusters of fleshy seed-envelopes were the attraction for the Blight- 

 Birds, but not for the Whiteheads. 



As I have stated, Parrakeets are fond of attaching themselves 

 to the winter flocks : but they do not actually mix with them, 

 keeping rather higher in the trees. Blight-Birds and Warblers, 

 however, occasionally do so, and the Fantail often plays among 

 the busy Whiteheads. One can understand the Fantail's presence, 

 for it is sure to meet with many disturbed moths and other winged 

 insects ; but the Parrakeet probably gains no more than social 

 pleasure. The Warbler is not often seen, and I fancy its interest 

 in the flock is aroused rather by the calling of the birds, for it is 

 an excitable little bird : while the Blight-Birds, who as a rule 

 bring up the rear, can hardly expect to find much remaining after 

 the careful investigation made by the Whiteheads. When camped 

 on the birch ridge there was noticeable, on fine mornings, about 

 an hour after sunrise, a general movement, right past our camp, 

 of all the species mentioned above. It was always from west to 

 east along the ridge, and in bad weather might take place later. 

 Towards evening the birds were sometimes noticed returning, but 

 now more scattered down the sides of the ridge, evidently making 

 back to a sheltered basin about half a mile along the ridge to the 

 west of our camp, where, no doubt, many of the birds spent the 

 night. In the morning the Whiteheads always led, sometimes 

 with Parrakeets above them, while the other birds came along in 

 straggling order. No doubt the Warblers and Fantails did not 

 go far, but simply joined in for a short distance near their usual 

 haunts, while the Blight-Birds sometimes remained to fossick 

 round the camp for a while. 



