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THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



and contrasts with its sombre plumage, it is not very sedate or 

 staid in its bearing. Its flight, indeed, is distinguished by gaiety, 

 and sometimes it sends forth a wikl burst of joyful notes. Mr. 

 Hursthouse, in his New Zealand, has given a brief but admirable 

 description of this bird. "It is larger," he says, "than the 



Tui : old and young. 



black-bird, and more elegant in shape. Its plumage is lustrous 

 black, irradiated with green hues, and pencilled with silver 

 grey, and it displays a white throat-tuft for its clerical bands. 

 It can sing, but seldom will; and it preserves its voice for 

 mocking othei-s. Darting through some low scrub to the topmost 

 twig of the tallest tree, it commences roaring forth a variety of 

 strange notes, with such changes of voice and volume of tone as 

 to claim the instant attention of the forest. Caught and caged, 

 it is still the merry ventriloquist, and mocks cocks and cats, and 

 attempts the baby. To add to its merits, it becomes very fine 

 eating in the season of poroporo berries. ' ' 



