184 M'Lean, Bush-Birds of New Zealand. [ist lan 



storm they may be seen, in small parties of four or five, preparing 

 to leave the more exposed ridges. Mounting independently of one 

 another, they rise almost vertically against the wind high above 

 the tree-tops, where, in their fluttering, twisting flight, they seem 

 like huge butterflies in the air ; then suddenly an impulse seizes 

 them, and off they go, in strong, undulating flight, to the more 

 sheltered parts of the neighbouring valleys. 



The petulant whine of this species is very characteristic, and is 

 always heard when the birds are alarmed by the appearance of 

 the Bush-Hawk, or any unusual happening about their haunts. 



The Tui is a great songster, and its notes are varied, rich, and 

 pleasing. In spring and summer they are especially melodious ; 

 but in autumn, when the birds moult, and in winter they have, 

 naturally, not quite the life of other seasons. Still, on a frosty 

 morning the notes sound sweet and clear and carry far. But 

 there is so much variety in the notes of each individual that the 

 song of the Tui differs in character from that of most birds. Often 

 one remarks the fact that each bird in the vicinity sets the notes 

 (the single notes of music) in varied sequence, in different time, 

 or even in a higher or lower key : so that frequently no two birds 

 about the locality are using a precisely similar strain. But an 

 exception is generally made in the case of one set of notes ; and 

 this set, which may be termed the dominant set, is often to 

 be heard in the locality, surpassing in volume and frequency all 

 others It is not certain whether all the Tuis singing near make 

 use of this dominant set among the many other sounds, but it 

 is believed, from its frequent occurrence, that they do. Then, 

 again, this dominant set varies in different locahties ; but of 

 this later on. It is to be hoped that all this is clear- — although the 

 Tuis in the neighbourhood may each be using somewhat different 

 sets of notes, there is one set which will be found common to them 

 all, and is probably more frequently heard than any other, and 

 hence becomes predominant. It is, of course, impossible to 

 express in adequate form the notes of birds on paper, but some 

 of the Tui's notes lend themselves to musical setting. Among the 

 many chuckled and whistled sounds is one which may be heard 

 pre-eminently in this district, if not throughout the land.* It is 

 a dominant one — a measured, clear " Tol tol tol " (page 77, No. 8), 

 which may be heard at all seasons, but particularly in the spring, 

 and, although used at any time of the day, is generally more in 

 evidence in the morning hours. This note — sometimes intro- 

 duced by two or three slightly higher ones (as No. 9) — is sounded 

 from three up to eight times in measured succession, and the 

 piece repeated at intervals of a minute or so. Of course, when 

 many birds are using it in the vicinity at the same time this music 

 is almost continuous. Another common set (No. 9) is heard 



* From among the many notes used, during the Spring of 191 1, by the 

 Tuis of Stewart Island, the writer was unable to pick out any particular 

 setting which could be called dominant ; and the music of No. 8 was never 

 heard. In that southerly isle the song is much more varied than it is in the 

 East Coast district, and the notes are, if anything, richer in tone. — J. C. M'L. 



