WATTLE-BIRD. 



iprings a round fubftance, in texture like the wattle of a Cock j 

 at firft this is of a fine blue colour, but afterwards becomes of a 

 fine orange : the irides are of a fine mazarine blue : from the 

 forehead to the eye, and between that and the bill, the colour is 

 of a deep black ; the reft of the plumage dark afh-colour : the 

 tail pretty long, confifting of twelve feathers, and is cuneiform 

 in fhape, the outer feather being fhorter than the middle one by 

 one inch : the wings, when clofed, reach to the bafe only : the legs 

 are long : and the hind claw much longer than the others. 



This bird inhabits New Zealand throughout: it is often feen Place aw? 

 walking on the ground, and fometimes perched on trees, though 

 lefs frequent : its food confifts of various articles j berries of all 

 kinds, and infects j and, according to the relation of fome, fmall 

 birds alfo. 



The flefh is good to eat, and was by fome accounted even fa- 

 voury. It has a kind of note not unlike whittling, and fome- 

 times a kind of murmuring, though not an unpleafing one *. As 

 great a Angularity as any is the tongue, which is by no means 

 like that of any known bird, as will be feen by confulting the op- 

 polite plate. 



For this account I am indebted to Dr. J. R. Forjier. 



• Mr. Forjier, in his Voy. talks of the lhrill notes of Thruflies, the graver pipe 

 »f Wattle-Birds, and the enchanting melody of various Creepers, refunding on 

 all fides. Vol. i, p, 148, 



Genus 



