82 THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



formed by the fourth to the sixth primaries. Feet large, the 

 tarsus longer than the outer toe with claw. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Abdomen and frontal spot white '2 



Entirely black. 3 



'2. Legs and feet dark brown. M. albifrons. 



Legs and feet light brown. M. aiistralis. 



3. Legs and feet brown. M, traversi. 



Legs and feet black. M. dannefordi. 



The South Island Wood Robin. — Toutouwal 



Miro albifro)is. 



Greyish black, with a small white spot over the bill, and a broad 

 band of yellowish white on the breast and abdomen. Legs and feet 

 brown, the soles yellow. Eye black. Length of the wing, 4 in.; of 

 the tarsiis, 1.5 in. The female is rather smaller than the male, and 

 greyish brown in colour. The young is coloured like the female, and 

 the white spot over the bill is obscure. Egg — Dull white, with greWsh 

 brown marks, principally at the larger end. Length 1 in. 



Our wood robins are tame, pert, merry, and cheerful birds, 

 and they are very partial to crumbs. In fact, in all respects 

 except colour they resemble the famous rolun redbreast, the 

 English favourite. There is one species for the North Island, 

 and another for the South Island. The list is complete with two 

 jet black species, one of which is found in the Island of IMangare, 

 of the Chatham group, and the other on the Snares. 



The South Island robins may often be seen in the bush. They 

 enter tents, hop about inside, and sometimes partake of meals 

 on the table. They are active little fellows. They appear at the 

 break of day, and retire when darkness comes on. They have 

 been known to sit on a man's body, as he lay on the ground, 

 hopping about and picking at his watch-chain or at any other 

 object that attracted their attention. When supplied with a 

 greater quantity of food than they can eat at a time, they 

 sometimes hide a store, and, no doubt, return to it later on. 



The nest is described as a complete study in natural history. 

 Boldness of conception is disclosed not only by the scale on which 

 the lines of the ample dwelling are founded, but also by the 

 design, w^hich is very well carried out for the comfortable 



