180 V 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 {Hmmatojjus) ; 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 novoe-zealandioe) ; 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 

 efibrt 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 ; 

 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 Acmna, snips off the fruit stalks of 



