^".g.^^'J M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. 183 



flowers of the climbing ratas (Mctrosideros) and other fare. The 

 poroporo is hardly ever seen in the main bush, but directly after 

 the fire single i)lants come up in fair numbers all over the burns, 

 and, growing rapidly, ultimately attain a height of 5 or 6 feet, 

 and, when sheltered by other growth, survive for seven or eight 

 years. The black vine, too, flourishes in such situations, and, 

 no doubt because it there receives more light, bears its clustering 

 flowers and seeds in far greater profusion than it does in the 

 shady forest. In such places the Tui is very tame, and allows a 

 near approach when feeding in the trees and creepers. The same 

 bird often frequented the same little patch for many days — and 

 even weeks — and its set of notes was often quite distinguishable, 

 so that one was able to recognize the different birds I)y their 

 song alone. On sunny days their notes were heard continuously 

 from these natural shrubberies, and much improved as spring 

 came in. Then the fuchsia — perhaps the commonest tree amid 

 the growth — came into flower, and the birds, now in greater 

 numbers, were busy sipping the nectar, and became much more 

 vivacious. So in September they were more common in these 

 patches of second-growth, and in the lighter scrub, than they 

 were in the bush itself. On 29th September " the Tuis are busy 

 sucking the honey from the flowers of the kotukutuku (fuchsia), 

 which are now in full bloom, and it was interesting to watch the 

 birds, which are always so intent when among their native 

 blossoms. With scarcely any regard for me, and often within 

 a few feet, they moved gracefully about the low branches, sipping 

 here and there from the pendent flowers. Now and then some 

 musical mixed notes were heard, but there was no dominant one. 

 Occasionally one would fly to the highest part of some dead giant 

 near, there to enjoy himself in the sun for a minute or two, and 

 then drop head first — his glossy plumage flashing in the sun 

 — and disappear in the leafy vegetation below. Some five or six 

 birds were in this small one-acre patch, and they and others were 

 passing backwards and forwards all morning between it and the 

 bush-face across the valley." 



The majority spent the night in the heavier bush, and it was 

 in passing between the two localities that they were, at times, 

 called upon to exert themselves to escape the Bush-Hawk, which, 

 in early morn and late afternoon, was generally on the look-out 

 for the then high-flying birds. On reaching the vicinity of its 

 roosting-place the Tui does not at once settle down, but spends 

 some time moving from tree to tree about the locality, and singing 

 at intervals its evening song. It has then been observed, on the 

 edge of the bush, flying out and taking insects in mid-air. Thus 

 it seems, in a way, to dawdle somewhat before finally retiring ; 

 but, as may be seen from my notes below, although it is one of 

 the last birds to retire, its notes are among those of the first to 

 be heard at the break of day. When the days are fine they per- 

 form some evolutions in the air, and are fond of chasing each 

 other through the trees in playful style. Before an approaching 



