74G4 Birds. 



Brief Notes on the Birds of New Zealand. 

 By J. B. Ellman, Esq. 



It is a long time since I had the pleasure of writing anything for 

 the ' Zoologist.' Since then I have been residing in New Zealand, 

 and, as opportunity offered, have jotted down various results of my 

 rambles. It will be observed that the distance of the islands from any 

 northern or southern continent precludes much migration. The climate 

 is temperate — colder in summer and warmer in winter than England. 

 I have never seen ice on the lakes, or snow near the coast. Our birds 

 are not musical ; daybreak and sunset alone give forth the notes of our 

 songsters. A minute description of each species being unsuited to 

 these pages I have only given partial ones of such species as are closely 

 allied to others, or require particular notice. The native names are 

 given after the English ; where no author is mentioned I am respon- 

 sible for the Latin name. All the species are common unless otherwise 

 stated. 



RAPTORES. 



Fam. Falconid^. 



Common Brown Hawk (Kahu or Kahu papango), Falco harpe, 

 Forster. Becomes brown by age, the young being much spotted with 

 white. Irides dark brown. 



White or Goldeneyed Hawk (Kahu or Kahu korakorako), Falco 

 aurioculus. In August, 1854, I was duck shooting, when a shadow 

 crossed my path. Looking up I saw a hawk, apparently with white 

 under plumage ; deeming it an interesting variety of the common 

 brown hawk I shot it. I have since obtained several specimens. Its 

 chief distinguishing characteristics are as follows. Irides bright yellow. 

 Under plumage pure cream-colour in adult birds, spotted with rufous 

 when young ; the spots disappear by age. Cry very loud, resembling 

 that of a child in pain. 



Little Falcon (Karearea or Kaiaia), Falco brunnea, Gould. A very 

 fearless bird, rather larger than a female merlin, with a similar plumage ; 

 will attack men if the nest is approached. 



Fam. SxEiGiDiE. 



Common Owl (Ruru or Koukou), Strix fulva, Forster. Very similar 

 to your little owl. All night calls " kou-kou," a sound resembling the 

 words " more pork ! " by which name it is commonly known among 

 the settlers. 



