The Zoologist — March, 1874. 3903 



the mixed scrub, made up of moderate-sized bushes of Coriaria, 

 Olearia, Veronica and Coprosma. As we reach the western coast, 

 about the Arahura river, it was three years since most abundant. 

 Last December we searched one of their former favourite haunts, — 

 a large island in that river, more or less covered with scrub-bush, 

 dotted with Ti trees, — and two or three specimens only were to be 

 seen; they have been driven away from Arahura by the clearances 

 for paddocks to supply the requirements of the West Coast cattle 

 trade. Last December, in travelling along the coast from Ross to 

 Okarita, we saw this bird in abundance on the face of those bluffs 

 which form such picturesque breaks in that journey; up the river- 

 flats it was equally numerous. 



Settlers have given the name of "thrush" to the pio-pio, from 

 its size and brown plumage recalling to mind their favourite of the 

 old country : it possesses not in the slightest degree that charm of 

 song which distinguishes the throstle, yet it enjoys the power of 

 giving utterance to several pleasing notes. It does not stir so early 

 as many other birds; its morning salute is along-drawn, rather 

 plaintive note ; this peculiar whistle it indulges in at times only, 

 for its habit, when close to the water frequently, is to pipe thrice, 

 in a way that at once recalls the red-bill {Hmnatopus) ; the 

 imitation is so like that the writer and his son (well acquainted with 

 bird-notes and calls) were frequently deceived, and have looked for 

 a red-bill till the pio-pio disclosed himself by fluttering from bush 

 to bush. Its common song seems to be near akin to that of the 

 lark {Anthus NovcB-Zealandice); it sounds two preludatory notes, 

 then strikes off" into a very brief song ; when joyously flying in pur- 

 suit of the female it utters a quick " chi-chi-chit, chi-chi-chit;" it 

 marks its displeasure, or tries to intimidate intruders that approach 

 its nest with a low purring "churr-r-r;" both male and female join 

 iu this cry of anger. When singing, the effort is marked by the 

 tail being spread, the wings held not quite close; the feathers of 

 the breast and back are not raised, as iu the case of the bell-bird. 

 We have called this pio-pio a philosopher; he has quite as good a 

 claim as many a biped to whom that title is accorded : who doubts 

 this, let him make acquaintance with the pio-pio— not merely a 

 sight acquaintance, but such an one as ripens into intimacy. The 

 result will be to know a bird who takes the world as it is, indifierent 

 as to food ; that feeds on insects when procurable, or can make shift 

 on grasses, seeds or fruits; that neither courts nor avoids observation ; 



