72 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



presence of strangers, it coolly pursues its occupation, without 

 the prying inquisitiveness of the hrown creeper, or the watchful 

 distress of the popokotea; and it defends its home with almost 

 the courage of the falcon or tern. 



"It seems to delight in opening's found in the river beds 

 between long belts of tutu and other scrub. There it may be seen 

 hopping along the ground, or fluttering about the lower sprays 

 of shrubs, flying out to the spits of sand or drifted trees that lie 

 stranded in the river bed On some of the longer formed spits, 

 that are becoming clothed with vegetation, it searches among the 

 burry aciera, and snips ofi^ the fruit stalks of moss, picking the 

 seed of trailing veronicas. It generally goes along the ground 

 in a deliberate manner, and hops with both feet together. With 

 each movement there is a slight flutter of the wings, and a flit of 

 the tail. When it is approached too closely, it leaves its perch, 

 always descending at first, as though safer when near to, or 

 actually on, the ground. Rising on the wing, it gains momentum 

 by a succession of hops. Some of its habits are like those of the 

 wattle-bird, but it generally associates, at least through the 

 summer months, with tuis, parrakeets, and robins. It does not 

 display much secretiveness in choosing a site for its nest, which 

 is usually found seven or eight feet from the ground, but some- 

 times at four feet, and sometimes at over twelve. The nest is 

 firmly and compactly built, with small sprays for the foundation, 

 on which moss is abundantly interwoven with pliant twigs. The 

 lining is generally composed of fine grass bents. Some of the nests 

 are finished otf with soft tree-fern down. They are generally 

 placed in the tutu, and sometimes in the coprosma and manuka. 

 Rivals of its own species, as well as other l)ir(ls. are driven off 

 from the neighbourhood of the nest." 



The eye of the thrush seems to gleam with intelligence. This 

 impression is made l)y its njirrow iris of a bright pale yellow. The 

 tongue is pointed, and furnished on one side with a strong 

 muscular apparatus of almost horn-like consistence. Both skin 

 and flesh of the bird are dark ; but it is stated that the flavour of 

 the flesh is not at all unpleasant. "It makes a savoury broil 

 for those who bring the proper sauce — hunger," adds Mr. Potts, 



