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tution, it has been known to live in confinement for upwards of ten years. 

 however, it becomes subject, after the first year, to convulsive fits, under which it ultimately sue 

 cumbs. ' Cleanliness, a well-regulated diet, and protection from extremes of temperature are the 

 proper safeguards. I had "as many as ten of them caged at one time ; but they died off one by 

 one, and invariably in the manner indicated. Naturally of a sprightly disposition, it is cheerful 

 and playful in captivity, incessantly flitting about in its cage and mimicking every sound within 

 hearing. It will learn to articulate sentences of several words with clearness, and to imitate the 

 barking of a dog to perfection. One, which I had kept caged in the same room with a Parrakeet 

 {Platycercus auriceps), acquired the rapid chattering note of that species ; and another, in ^he 

 possession of a friend, could whistle several bars of a familiar tune in excellent time. 

 Maoris fully appreciate the mocking-powers of this bird, and often devote much time and patience 

 to its uistruction. There are some wonderful stories current among them of the proficiency it 

 sometimes acquires ; and I may mention an amusing incident that came under my own notice at 

 Eangitikei some years ago. I had been addressing a large meeting of nati^ 



The 



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my views with all the earnestness that the subject demanded : immediately on the conclusion of 

 my speech, and before the old chief, to whom my arguments were chiefly addressed, had time to 

 reply, a Tui, whose netted cage hung to a rafter overhead, responded, m a clear emphatic way, 

 " Tito ! " (false). The circumstance naturally caused much merriment among my audience, and 

 quite upset the gravity of the venerable old chief Nepia Taratoa. " Friend," said he, laughing, 

 " your arguments are very good ; but my moJcai is a very wise bird, and he is not yet convinced ! " 

 In a state of nature the Tui is even more lively and active than in captivity. It is inces- 

 santly on the move, pausing only to utter its joyous notes. The early morning is the period 

 devoted to melody, and the Tuis then perform in concert, gladdening the woods with their wild 

 ecstacy. Besides their chime of five notes (always preceded by a key-note of preparation), they 

 indulge in a peculiar outburst which has been facetiously described as " a cough, a laugh, and a 

 sneeze," and a variety of other notes, fully entitling it to be ranked as a songster. Its flight is 

 rapid, graceful, and slightly undulating, the rustling of the wings as they are alternately opened 

 and closed being distinctly audible. Layard mentions (' Ibis,' 1863, p. 243) the peculiar habit 

 which this bird has of mounting high in the air during fine weather, in parties of six or more, and 

 performing wide aerial circles or indulging in a sportive flight, " turning, twisting, throwing somer- 

 saults, dropping from a height with expanded wings and tails, and performing other antics, till, as if 

 guided by some preconcerted signal, they suddenly dive into the forest and are lost to view." High 

 in the air it may sometimes be seen closing the wings and supporting the body for a few moments 

 by a rapid perpendicular movement of the expanded tail ; and slowly descending in this manner 

 to a lower level, it speeds forward with half-closed wings and tail, and then rises high in the air 



again by a rapid vibration of those members. 



The food of the Tui consists of ripe berries of various kinds, flies and other insects, and the 

 honey of certain wild flowers. To enable it to collect the latter, the tongue is furnished at its ter- 

 mination with a brush of exquisite flneness, a characteristic common to all the true honey-eaters. 

 When the functions of life are suspended or interfered with, this little brush protrudes from the 

 bill. This occurs not only after death, but in the case of the sickly Tui ; and the involuntary pro- 

 trusion of the tongue may generally be accepted as a fatal symptom. In the months of October 



N 



