AUGUST. 143 



leaves of various kinds of trees and shrubs, but in hollows 

 of decayed trees, on the face of a high cliff by the sea, in 

 crevices of rocks, under the arch of a bridge on a public- 

 road, in porches, sheds, and outhouses. And in svich 

 localities as those last named, rags, bits of paper, and 

 worsted, were worked into the nest. I know of no native 

 bird which has shown so much confidence in human beings 

 as this pei'ky little bright-eyed tit. When so many of the 

 indigenous birds have retired permanently to districts 

 remote from all settlement, it is pleasant to feel that some 

 have remained, and that, in spite of their fearlessness, they 

 have managed to survive near towns and beside the habita- 

 tions of men. It would be well if the rising generation of 

 boys could be instructed and prevailed upon to leave them 

 unmolested. 



In the month of August many plants commence to flower, 

 but the majority of those which are borne by trees or shrubs 

 are either self-fertilised or are dependent on the wind, as 

 insects are still comparatively rare. The most familiar 

 examples of wind-fertilised plants are to be found among 

 the introduced catkin -bearing trees willows, poplars, 

 alders, hazel, and many others. It is noticeable in them 

 that the catkins are borne on the branches before the 

 leaves appear, so that they hang open and loose to the 

 action of the wind. 



Perhaps the best examples of wind-fertilised plants in the 

 native flora are furnished by the genus Coprosnia, some 

 species of which come into flower this month. How am 

 I to describe the Coprosmas so that those unacquainted 

 with them may recognise them? Well, they are very 

 common plants in the Town Belt, particularly in the more 

 open parts, and they are known to most people in one or 

 other of their species. The larger-leaved kinds have shining 

 leaves and longish orange-coloured drupes (or berries, as 

 they are popularly called). The smaller-leaved kinds have 

 usually a scrubby kind of appearance, with branches 

 coming off at very wide angles, widely-separated pairs of 

 small leaves, while the fruit is generally small, round, and 

 bright red in colour. One species with a very decided 



