WOOD AND WASTE 109 



pebbles, wbich, by the bye, they exactly match ; 

 if on a limestone ledge or platform, then 

 among the trodden fern fronds and grasses, 

 which make a softer layer for them; if on 

 a wind blown pumice scoop on the ranges, 

 then among the bare, dry, grey grit. 



Quite other sites are, however, more 

 rarely chosen, for one of the shepherds 

 found a nest built by the birds themselves 

 on a low gnarled tutu bush jutting out from a 

 little cliff, or rather slip of papa rock. 



The New Zealand Pipit seems to be the 

 species most often taken by the Falcon, 

 but on the pinnacles where the birds perch 

 are often scattered feathers of Goldfinch and 

 Yellow Hammer. No doubt other species 

 also supply the Falcon's larder, and I have 

 seen the bird strike and carry off one of a 

 flock of Starlings, and also noticed a Quail 

 chick brought into the nest. On this occasion 

 the Falcon — the male — was still suspicious 

 of the screen, and passed several times to 

 and fro, transferring the Quail in mid-air, 

 and in full flight, from beak to talon, and 

 again from talon to beak. 



