59 



Note. — We have found eggs of the Warbler quite white, doubtless the 

 produce of young birds. As yet we have failed to observe any such distinctive 

 features, either in the structure or habits of these Warblers, that they should 

 be classed as separate species, under the names of flaviventris and assimilis. 

 We adhere to assimilis, as is adopted in the collection in the Canterbury 

 Museum. 



No. 26. — Certhiparus Nov^e Zelandi^e, Gml. 

 Brown Creeper ; Brown Canary. 



Although this Creeper may be seen in almost every bush, from the coast 

 to the distant Alpine Ranges, we have only once found its nest. This was in 

 the month of December, far above the Bangitata Gorge. The nest, containing 

 three young birds, was compactly built of moss, with a few feathers, placed in 

 a Black-birch, between the trunk and a spur, from whence sprouted out a thick 

 tuft of dwarfish sprays, about seven feet from the ground. 



No. 27. — Certhiparus albicilla, Less. 

 Mohoua. 



This bird appears sufficiently common, about the bush above Wellington, 

 for its habits to be well studied. There are several specimens of the nest and 

 eggs in the Colonial Museum, Wellington. The nest is a very compact 

 structure, having very thick walls, and in its style of architecture bears a 

 strong resemblance to that of M. Ochrocephala, although, in some instances, 

 different materials are used. In the one before us, different kinds of soft 

 grass and moss form the staple, well-felted and interwoven with webs, lichens, 

 and the down of tree-ferns ; it measures 4 inches 1 line across the top, cavity 

 1 inch 10 lines in diameter, 1 inch 4 lines deep. Eggs white, or with very 

 faint specks of pink, measure 10J lines in length, with a breadth of 7|- lines. 



No. 29. — Petroica macrocephala, Gml. 

 Ngirungiru. Piro piro. 

 Tomtit. 



This familiar little bird is one of the more elaborate nest-builders amongst 

 the denizens of the bush, or rather its outskirts. 



It adapts itself, in a manner, to civilization, frequenting gardens, and 

 may be seen perched on a bough, ready to pounce on the grubs the gardener's 

 spade may bring to light, reminding one very much of the habits of the 

 Bed-breast at home. 



The nest varies much in shape according to position ; frequently we have 

 found it in holes of trees ; a favourite site is immediately under the head of 

 the ti tree (Cordyline australis). Two nests we presented to the Canterbury 

 Museum, were of remarkable shape ; one, a firm compact structure, placed in 

 the forked head of a ti tree, resembled a very neat moss basket, with a handle 

 across the top ; the second, also from a ti tree, from, perhaps, the foundation 

 slipping between the leaves, was built up till it reached the great length of 

 sixteen inches. (See Plate 4, Fig. 4). We have found others placed on a rock, 

 and one, now in the Colonial Museum, was built between the brace and 

 shingles in the roof of an empty cottage. 



The nest is neatly and firmly built of a variety of materials, carefully and 

 neatly interwoven ; moss, grass-bents, slender sprays, the down or wool of 

 the tree-fern, cobwebs, and feathers, warmly line the interior. Four eggs is 

 the usual number laid, though we have been told of more having been found ; 

 they are white, with grey speckles, most numerous towards the larger end, 

 9 lines long and 7 lines broad. A nest built in a ti tree, close to a pathway, 



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