l8o M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. Tisf^jan. 



find no quiet spot in which to stay, for no sooner had it shifted 

 to avoid an angry Bell-Bird than it was compelled to quit the 

 next bare limb on which it alighted by another vigorous onset by 

 a different bird. They also fought among themselves, and one 

 would now and then be seen beating a hasty retreat from the 

 domain of a pursuing bird. On one occasion (5th October, igo6) 

 two birds almost flew into me. actually touching my hand in their 

 blind fury. They fell and fought on the ground at my feet, the 

 one who shortly gained the advantage pulling and tearing at his 

 victim in the most savage manner. There was much squeaking, 

 and in the tussle, which lasted some seconds, they fell behind a 

 small log. Then the victor left his much-battered foe to crawl 

 away, while he, with strong direct flight, returned to his patch 

 of tawhera some 40 yards distant The wounded bird was so 

 damaged that it could not fly, but it escaped me by crawling 

 away into the felled timber. 



The alarm note is a rapidly repeated scolding ' Tink-tink- 

 tink," heard in the scrub on several occasions When the bird 

 is much alarmed it is difficult to approach, as I found before 

 finally being able to verify the author of this peculiar note. 



Like its relation, the Tui, the Bell-Bird possesses a variety of 

 notes, chiefly broken peals of five to eight notes Some resemble 

 those of the former bird, and are attributed by many people to 

 the Tui Few persons distinguish between the music of the two 

 species, and it was found somewhat hard to convince even the 

 bushmen here of the Bell-Bird's presence. In greenish garb, it 

 is not conspicuous, neither is it obtrusive ; so that it is not unlikely 

 that the general observer may overlook Author nis in the New 

 Zealand bush. 



In the writer's opinion, its notes can hardly compare with the 

 richer and more varied rollicking tones of a Tui. While those of 

 the latter aie mostly in a major key, the Bell-Bird's are usually 

 in a minor one ; and the single, oft-reiterated " Poeing " (see 

 No. 6, page 77) soon becomes monotonous. Perhaps when great 

 numbers are singing independently at one time, and joined with 

 the notes of other species, there may be heard that captivating 

 music of which observers write : but it has never been the writer's 

 good fortune to listen to such a chorus. Far sweeter music has 

 been heard, at daybreak, in other bush, from the combined notes 

 of Tui, Robin, and Blight-Bird than was ever audible from the 

 Bell-Birds here. Its most characteristic set of notes is the short 

 chime shown on page 77 (No. 3)— notes quite distinguishable 

 from any of those of the Tui, and possibly more frequently uttered, 

 at all seasons, than any other. To one acquainted with this chime 

 there should be httle difficulty, from its frequent repetition, in 

 determining the presence of the Bell-Bird in the vicinity. It was 

 to be heard all day at varying intervals in many parts, but more 

 particularly in the winter months. In the spring, however, another 

 chime which sounds like No. 4, became quite as general, but is 

 so often varied and broken by other notes as to hardly make it 



