VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME N.Z. BIRDS 363 



Amongst other species which use the voice in company, and 

 seem to enjoy the chorus, the lark may be mentioned, as it usually 

 utters its sharp "chirrup, chirrup," on taking wing. The same 

 note, or one much like it, is used for encouragement, or to incite 

 watchfulness when a flock in loose order are near a harrier 

 hawking close to the ground, or perched on some commanding 

 stone or tea-tree. "When the blight birds (Zosterops), which might 

 safely adopt as a motto "Fruges consumere naii," crowd about 

 a tree peering through the leaves, thrusting their sharp beaks into 

 the flesh pulp of luscious plums, they constantly twitter, as they 

 also do when shifting to fresh food; the call note, not unlike the 

 chirrup of the sparrow, is also quickly answered. Their power 

 of song, as yet, does not seem to be appreciated as it deserves. I 

 have heard individuals sing their sweet few notes in a way that 

 would charm the most exacting bird fancier that ever gathered 

 chickweed. The notes of the bell-bird as it trips up and down 

 the scale with a cough at the end are too well known to need 

 further notice ; one of their concerts, with a full chorus, is a 

 delightful treat that sometimes rewards the early riser. The 

 graceful parrakeet utters a gratulatory note as the flock hastily 

 assembles to some favourite food, as on the stooks in an oat field ; 

 this differs from their call when on the wing, as much as it does 

 from that low confidential murmur in which I have heard a pair 

 indulge about nesting time. The kaka in his leafy domain uttere 

 his hai-sh grunt of satisfaction as he and his mate scramble about 

 the bending boughs that yield a honeyed food. How shall I 

 attempt to describe the song of the tui, with its sudden bursts of 

 melody, ringing the change upon notes merry, plaintive, or harsh, 

 in rapid sequence, as though the sympathetic voice felt and 

 expressed every varying motion that chanced to stir the lively 

 bird ? The attitudes assumed during the course of its recitative 

 are well worth watching, although they may seem to detract 

 somewhat from the pleasure of hearing it. 



The kaka sounds his alarm harshly, hopping restlessly from 

 bough to bough ; nor does his warning cease whilst on the wing, 

 gliding to safer quarters. In the moist beech forests, where 

 glades are carpeted with the deepest moss, the beautiful green 



