THE ZooLocist—Junz, 1875. 4483 
made on those of the whistler; yet repeated attempts have failed to 
discover any guide why the number of its notes should So greatly 
vary; whether the bird’s call is affected by the state of the atmo- 
sphere, temperature, the force of the wind, or the quarter whence it 
blows. At all hours it may be heard in its season, but at night 
the call seems most sustained, both as regards the distinct notes or 
whistles, and the remarkable song or flourish with which it often 
ends the performance. From some notes, taken October 25th to 
November 10th, the lowest and highest number of notes were :— 
11-30 P.m.tolam.. . 14t0 34 OREM ee ule Eh dn ae 
MEAS TS PG ESMEE eee » 44 
eee eg ree CECI VS NAPE A al cola Mek Loy i= ra 08 
ees on eT Se ata arcane eye ne ET » 64 
11.45 ,, to0.20p.m.. 8 PPh al Ais AR lie ai aA sO 
The notes do not include the terminal song or flourish. 
October 8, 1872. Whistler heard for the first lime. 
October 6, 1873. Just heard the whistler’s call: this is early, as 
the spring is alate one. Their route on arrival seems to be from 
west to east, or north-west to south-east. 
In the early morning the call of the cuckoo is certainly more 
plaintive in tone than at other times. This call is delivered without 
that evident labour which accompanies the outpourings of some 
species of birds. Whilst performing it sits rather low on its perch, 
the head is slightly raised, the bill pointing rather upwards, the 
head is slowly moved from side to side. 
November 4. Female whistler killed by dashing againt the plate- 
glass windows: irides liver-brown, inclining to reddish brown ; 
tarsus and toes slaty blackish, beneath dirty flesh; ovaries not in 
an advanced state. 
November 11.—Another female whistler suffered a similar fate. 
November 12,—Whistlers feeding on the moths that are busy 
about the ngaio trees (Myoporum letum) ; in picking off the moths 
the gape is opened very wide. Whilst feeding, a few low, brief 
notes are uttered. 
Have seen this cuckoo hotly pursued by the black fantail 
(R. fuliginosa). When alarmed its call sounds like “peewau, 
peewau.” 
Pigeon (Carpophaga Nove-Zealandiz, Gmel.).— Perhaps few 
birds show more art in the construction of their homes than does 
