NATURAL HISTORY NOTES IN NEW ZEALAND. 176 
216,783 sparrows eggs, but the only serious check upon its increase 
is the universal week of poisoning with phosphorised grain at mid- 
winter by the different Boards and Councils. A peculiarity of the 
Colonial sparrow is that he will build his nest within a foot of the 
ground as carelessly as if it were in the loftiest tree. Witha special 
liking for the agricultural country the sparrow will, nevertheless, be 
found scores of miles away from cultivated grounds, living upon 
native fruits, and in the spring gets rolling fat on the honey of the 
crimson rata blossoms (METROSIDEROS). 
Green-linnets could only be counted in units in 1888 during the 
course of a winter, but, at the present time, their number is legion. 
I have, in the Colonial press, demonstrated that the green-finch or 
green-linnet, and that dreaded pest of sheep farmers, sweet-briar, 
have been distributed by mutual assistance in an even ratio in the 
South Island. 
Nothing can be urged against the yellow-hammer which multi- 
plies very slowly indeed, and its presence, together with the English 
lark, makes, for the New Zealand landscape, a picture which may well 
bring back memories of the older Britain of the North. Lesices its 
aereal song, the lark sings from fence or log as I have never heard it 
in England. 
Both the thrush and the blackbird have spread in the new land, 
but the latter in far greater numbers. Whilst the thrush is satis- 
fied with native bush-fruits, blackbirds are the bane of the orchardist 
and gardener. 
The pied or chaffinch is also a great robber of the garden, but is 
not in great numbers. As in England, the nest of the chaftinch 
is very beautiful, and partakes, as far as possible, of the same 
material when at hand, and is similarly constructed. I had occa- 
sion to take a “rise” out of the sparrows for their depredations in 
my garden, and steeped seme peas in a solution of phosphorus, 
