GOULD'S NEOMOUP1IA. A'eomorj>fcu (.Vni 



of Port Nicholson, whence the feathers of the tail, which are in great request among the 

 natives, are sent as presents to all parts of the island. The natives regard the bird with 

 the straight and stout beak as the male, and the other as the female. In three specimens 

 which I shot this was the case, and both birds are always together. 



These fine birds can only be obtained with the help of a native, who calls them with 

 a shrill and long-continued whistle, resembling the sound of the native name of the 

 species. After an extensive journey in the hilly forest in search of them, I had at last 

 the pleasure of seeing four alight on the lower branches of the tree near which the 

 native accompanying me stood. They came quick as lightning, descending from branch to 

 branch, spreading out the tail and throwing up the wings. Anxious to obtain them, I 

 fired ; but they generally come so near, that the natives kill them with sticks. Their 

 food consists of seeds and insects ; of their mode of nidification, the natives could 

 give no information. The species are apparently becoming scarce, and will probably be 

 soon exterminated." 



In the colouring of its plumage, it is, although rather dark, a really handsome bird 

 when closely inspected in a good light. The general hue of the feathers is a very dark 

 green, appearing to be black in some lights, and having a bright glossy surface. Upon 

 each side of the neck is a fleshy protuberance, or " wattle," analagous to the wattle of 

 the common turkey, and of a rich orange colour during the life of the bird. After death, 

 however, the bright colour rapidly fades, and the full, round, fleshy form quickly contracts, 

 so that after a while the only remnants of the wattle are to be found in two flat, shrivelled, 

 dusky projections, which give no idea of their former shape and beauty, and look as if 

 they had been cut out of old parchment. 



