180 Transactions.—Zoology. 
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 the 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 a 
long-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 (Hamatopus) ; 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 nove-zealandice) ; it sounds two preludatory 
notes, then strikes off into a very brief song ; when joyously flying in pursuit 
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 
chur-r-r ; both cock and hen join in 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 in 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, indifferent as to food ; that feeds on insects when procurable, 
or can make shift on grasses, seeds, or fruits ; that neither courts nor avoids 
observation ; is as bold as the robin or tit, without their intrusive friendliness H 
that, when in the presence of strangers, coolly pursues its occupation without 
the prying inquisitiveness of the brown-creeper, or the watchful distrust of 
the popokatea; that defends his home with almost the courage of the falcon or 
tern. 
It seems to delight in those openings which are found in river-beds, 
between long belts of tutu and other scrub ; there it may be observed either _ 
hopping along the ground or fluttering about the lower Sprays of shrubs, 
flying out to the spits of sand, or drifted trees, that lie stranded in the river- 
bed. On some of the longer formed spits, that are becoming clothed with 
vegetation, it searches amongst the burry Acæna, snips off the fruit stalks of 
kd 
