57 



months. We have discovered the nest in an old flower-branch of the Ti palm 

 (Cordyline australis). (See Plate 5, Fig. 1.) 



Note. — Feb. 2, 1868 — Bell-bird building; that would give the breeding- 

 season a duration of about six months. 



No. 15. PoGONORNIS CINCTA, DubuS. 



A nest, assigned to this bird, was found in the bush above the Kaiwara- 

 wara stream, not far from Wellington ; it contained one egg, rather oval in 

 form, somewhat pointed at each end, measuring 9 lines in length, with a breadth 

 of 7 lines ; the whole surface clouded over with pale rufous-brown. 



The nest, with thin walls, and of shallow form, was built of sprays, above 

 wdiich were laid fibres and dry rootlets of Tree-fern ; fine grass was used for the 

 lining, over which cow-hair was laid, and measured, across the top, 4 inches 9 

 lines, cavity 2 inches 4 lines, depth 1 inch 4 lines. This description is from 

 the specimen in the Colonial Museum, Wellington. 



No. 18. — Acanthisitta chloris, Sparrm. 

 Pi wau wau. 

 Wren. 



This, the smallest of our birds, is usually seen in pairs, flying low, with a 

 feeble, jerky style of flight ; more frequently it is met with creeping amongst 

 the lichens and mosses that decorate the stems and branches of our forest trees. 

 We have found the nest in a small hole in the trunk of a Fagus. Once a nest 

 was discovered, very cleverly built in a i-oll of bark, that hung suspended in a 

 thicket of climbing Convolvulus. (See Plate 4, Fig. 2). 



The eggs are said to be very numerous sometimes, although four or five 

 have been the most we have observed to a nest ; like those of nearly all 

 troglodytal birds, they are white and glossy ; ovoiconically shaped, they measure 

 1\ lines in length, by 6 lines broad. We have a note of the Wren breeding 

 in August. 



No. 19. MOHOUA OCHROCEPHALA, Gml. 



Mohoua. 

 Canary. 



Although we have not observed this bird anywhere on "the plains," or 

 on the lower ground of the " bays," yet as soon as one ascends the bushy gullies 

 of the hills, the Canary is sure to pay a reconnoitering visit ; with sharp strident 

 call, it summons its companions, and the trees around will soon disclose the 

 golden breasts and heads of these active arboreals, as they peer down on the 

 intruder with noisy clamour. With restless movements, they creep round, 

 above, and below the leafy branches, in their insect search. We have watched 

 them on the ground, busily scratching and pecking between the Luge moss-clothed 

 roots of the lofty trees that tower above. The nest measuring across the top, 

 3 inches 3 lines, with a depth of 1 inch 4 lines, is a beautifully compact 

 structure, cup-shaped, principally of moss, very closely felted, and neatly inter- 

 woven with webs of spiders. (See Plate 5, Fig. 2). In the hollow trunk of the 

 Broad-leaf, it is sometimes found, and occasionally in a decaying Black Birch. 

 Eggs white, with very small faint specks of red, nearly 11 lines in length, with 

 a breadth of 8|- lines. We have a specimen of the nest and eggs from the 

 River Wilberforce. 



No. 20. — Sphenceacus punctatus, Quoy. and Gaim. 

 Mata. 

 Grass- bird, Grass-pheasant, Utick. 



Some years ago the monotonous note of this little bird might be heard in 

 almost any place, where tall tohe-tohe reeds, or the waving leaves of the Carex 



