228 P''^"^ Magazines, &c. [ist^ April 



visitor from some distant country, they agreed that it should be 

 given a welcome, partly because it did not shun civilisation, like 

 some of the native birds, and partly because its presence gave 

 an additional charm to the sylvan scenes wherein it was to be 

 found. Before long they began to regard it as a nuisance. In- 

 vading their orchards, though insectivorous, it pecked the plums, 

 cherries, and apples unwarrantably. Its romantic arrival was 

 regarded as a curse rather than a blessing. Presently, however, 

 the landowners changed their opinion. Their apple trees were 

 attacked by the American blight {ScJiizoneiira lanigera), and the 

 ' White-eye ' dealt with this pest so thoroughly and effectively 

 that it completely cleared many orchards, and left them clean 

 and sweet. Since then it has been treated almost with affection. 

 In recognition of its excellent work in this direction it is now 

 known as the ' Blight-Bird.' At one time public feeling was so 

 strong against it that a crusade was organized for its destruction ; 

 but now it is allowed to live without molestation. Although not 

 protected by law in New Zealand, it is not rare. Its greatest 

 enemies are the Maoris, whose custom was to preserve large 

 numbers of ' White-eyes ' in fat every year as a supply of food. 

 The bird is so small that the Marois gave it no further prepara- 

 tion than plucking the feathers. Head, bones, feet, and all were 

 eaten. It is, nevertheless, now firmly established as a New 

 Zealand bird, and is both ornamental and useful. Most New 

 Zealanders gladly allow it such fruit as it takes in return for its 

 pleasant company and for the quantity of blight that it 

 destroys." 



Reviews. 



["A Monograph of the Petrels (Order Tubinares)." By F. Du Cane Godman, 

 D.C.L., F.R.S., &c.] 



Previous notices of this classical work have appeared in The 

 Emu, vol. vi., p. 205, and vol. viii., p. 45. The reviewers now 

 have pleasure in acknowledging part iii. of the " Monograph," 

 which upholds the excellence of its preceding parts. The fol- 

 lowing Australasian birds are dealt with in part iii., namely : — 

 Priocella glacialoides, Priofinus cinereus, Majaqiieus csquinoc- 

 tialis, M. parkinsoni, CEstrelata macroptera, CE. lessoni, CE. ros- 

 trata, GL. mollis, CE. solandri, CE. neglecta, CE. incerta, and 

 CE. brevipes. 



No doubt, through the efforts of Mr. Tom Iredale and his 

 enterprising party, who were camped on the Kermadec Islands 

 for the most part of last year, much information will be added 

 to the life-history of the CE. mgripennis (Kermadec Fulmar), 

 CE. cervicalis (Sunday Island Fulmar), and CE. neglecta (Phillip 

 Fulmar), with its perplexing phases of plumage. Regarding 



