Porrs.— New Zealand Birds. 143 
it has a habit sometimes of resting on one foot, drawing up the other foot to 
the breast, then slowly stretching out the leg, like an athlete trying his 
muscle. 
Sometimes, when the bird just alights, or when it is perched on some weak 
or slender bough, the tail is held almost horizontally ; when at rest we have 
noticed that sometimes the tail is pressed against the perch. f 
The writer could multiply instances of the occurrence of F. ferox, and 
give more notes of the birds it preys on, but cui bono ? There will still be 
found the same uncertainty in the minds of many as to the existence of one 
or two species, which doubts may last till the genus is improved from off the 
face of the earth. 
Up the Waio River, South Westland, at breeding time, these birds have 
been known to chase cattle dogs to the shelter of the stockman's horse. 
No. 3.—ATHENE NOVJE-ZEALANDLE, Gm. 
More-pork. 
Some instances have been noticed where this useful bird has at intervals 
taken up its abode amidst men's dwellings. During the past two years the 
parsonage garden at Kaiapoi has afforded shelter to this industrious mouse- 
catcher; in another place a small niche in an out-house was tenanted by a 
More-pork. 
Here, beneath the verandahs, we have known it prey on the moths that 
have been fluttering on the outside of the windows, attracted by the strong 
light within doors. 
We have the egg from the Westland Bush, taken from a hole in a tree 
— white, smooth, of a rounded rather than oval shape, measuring through the 
axis 1 inch and nearly 6 lines, with a breadth of 1 inch 3 lines ; weight of a 
More-pork about 51 ounces. 
It should be stated that castings described by Dr. Buller in his “ History" 
(p. 20), as those of the owl, are castings of the kingfisher (Halcyon vagans), 
which were collected by the writer in Governor Bay, and placed by him in 
the Museum. 
Near the Ohungua River nests have been found with two and three eggs 
therein. 
No. 8.—NEOMORPHA GOULDI, Gray. 
Huia. 
Mr. J. D. Enys has been kind enough to forward some notes taken during 
a visit to Akitio. 
Two specimens, obtained July 3rd, 1873, weighed—Male, 353 grains; 
female, 306 grains. 
