THE MOREPORK 171 



with much eoqnettishness. to her former position, and the solemn 

 fun would be gone through again. ''Words fail me to describe 

 the sounds and grimaces, ' ' says Mr. Colenso ; ' ' the usual gravity 

 of the bird seemed to have been burlesqued, and I laughed 

 heartily at the serio-comic performance, after watching it for 

 about half-an-hour, when, as it was still being carried on without 

 alteration, I returned to my tent." 



The morepork generally builds its nest in hollow trees, but 

 some breeding-places have been found in hollow rocks in the wood. 

 ]Mr. Potts relates an adventure he had with one of these birds. 

 It was early morning in the summer time, and the owl was sitting 

 on a gate. Anxious to watch and study its motions, Mr. Potts 

 sat down close by it. But it soon made a sudden swoop at the 

 intruder, and repeated the manoeuvre several times, most per- 

 severingiy, and Avith great gravity aud deliberation. After each 

 attack, the bird resumed its perch on the gate, and only once did 

 it make a blow felt. The oliserver rose and walked up a dark fern 

 gully some distance aAvay, and the owl followed and attacked 

 him again. 



Order Columbiformes. 



Bill with a hard tip and a soft swollen base. Feet with three 

 toes in front and one behind, all at the same level. 



Fa»iilij Tycronidae. 



Tarsus generally shorter than the middle toe. Feathered for 

 more than half its length. The soles of the feet broad. 



Genus Ilemiphaga. 



Bill moderate. Wings pointed, the third and fourth quills 

 Jiearly ecpial and longest. Tail long, composed of twelve feathers. 

 New Zealand and North Island. 



Key to the Species. 



Outer wing-coverts green. H. novEe-zealandise. 



Outer wing-coverts grey. H. cbatliamensis. 



