THE NORTH ISLAND THRUSH 73 



aiul he says significantly: "When not so provided, they do 

 wanton mischief who kill birds so harmless and interesting." 

 They are yery sociable, and a bnsh-hand, living the life of a 

 hermit in his whare of tree-fern stems up the Waio River, feci 

 some thrushes until he had enticed them to enter his hut. 



An interesting theory has been put forth in regard to the 

 thrush's imitation of the reclbill's note. It is regarded as a 

 good instance of the protective mimicry of sound. The thrush 

 gets ample food, in the summer days at least, from the glades of 

 the river-beds. Soaring high above these, the hawk notes the 

 movements of the thrush below, but hearing the simulated cry 

 of the red-bill, withholds his dashing swoop, knowing that a 

 red-bill would alarm his faithful mate, and that the pair^ with 

 forces combined, cannot be attacked with impunity. 



Mr. W. W. Smith, in an article published in 1888. says that the 

 South Island thrushes were then still fairly numerous at Lake 

 Brunner, but had disappeared from the lower gullies of the 

 Arnold, between Stillwater, now named Richardson, and the 

 Arnold gold diggings. ^Many years ago the species existed in 

 large numbers on the ]\Iaori Gully goldfield, and fed among the 

 huts and tents of the diggers, frequently entering and hopping 

 on the floors, and picking crumbs ; but gradually their numbers 

 diminished, until not a single thrush was to be found on the 

 field. Mr. Smith finds that the early morning or evening is the 

 best time to hear this l)ird's splendid notes and call, or to study 

 its habits, as it is then most active. A few hours after sunset, he 

 says, the thrushes cease to sing or to answer one another's notes, 

 and in fine weather, during the day, they generally remain silent 

 among the fern trees and lower branches of other trees. In dull 

 or wet weather, the birds move about the higher branches in 

 search of food, and avoid the heavy drip of the thick 

 undergrowth. 



Like other species, such as the wood-robin, the yellow-breasted 

 tit, the crow, and the weka, the thrush is easily attracted to the 

 spot where any unusual noise is produced in the bush near its 

 haunts, often coming almost within reach of the individual 

 attracting it, spreading its beautiful rich brown tail, moving 



