260 



THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



The Rain Bird. 

 (Estrelata inexpectata. 

 Upper surface, dark grey. Abdomen, brownish grey. Throat and 

 under tail coverts, white. Inner webs of the primaries, abruptly white 

 for at least the inner half. Legs and basal portion of the toes yellow; 

 the remainder, black. Length of the wing, 10 inches; of the tarsus, 

 1.2 inch. New Zealand seas. 



The rain bird breeds in holes near the tops of the mountain 

 ranges, far inland, in both islands. It is known as the rain bird 

 in many places, as it is often heard at night calling as it flies to 



Cook's Petrel. 



: Voy. Kvfbus ami 2'e 



the sea ; and in New Zealand rain often falls in the night, and the 

 weather is fine in the morning. However, several other petrels 

 do the same thing, and the cry is not restricted to this petrel. 

 (For the figure, see page 247). 



Cook's Petrel.— TiTi. 



(Estrelata cooM. 



Above, grey; forehead, cheeks, and below, white; a brown spot 

 through the eye. Under wing coverts, white. Bill slender. Legs and 



