220 msmjs. 



group of parrots (TrlGlioglossus) subsist entirely upon the nectar they 

 extract from the flmvers of the 'Eiicalypti, and for this purpose nature has 

 endowed them with a brush-tongue, in which respect they assimilate to the 

 true Meli'pliagidce. 



Australia proper is the great seat or metropolis of this family. A few 

 species are scattered over the Pacific Isles, and New Zealand possesses five, 

 viz. Prosthemadera novcB-zealandicB, Anthornis melmiura, A. onelanocepliala, A. 

 auriociila* and Fogonornis cincta. 



Of these, the two former (the tui and the korimako) are the commonest 

 birds of the country, being more numerous and diffusive in their range than 

 any of the other perchers. 



Fam. Ceethiadje. — -Three groups of this family are represented in New 

 Zealand by the following species, viz. : — Xenicus longipes, X. stoJcesii, Acan- 

 tMsitta cliloris, Mohoua oclirocepliala, and M. alhicilla. A bird mentioned by 

 the Rev. E. Taylor as having been seen by him in the Taranaki country, and 

 described as " a diminutive wren with a mazarine blue crest," will probably 

 be found to belong to the first-named group. 



Fam. LusciNiDiE. — This comprehensive family embraces the following 

 New Zealand species, viz. : — Splienoeacus pi^ictatus, S.fidvus, Gerygone igata, 

 G.Jiaviventris, G. alhofrontata, G. assi'imlis,f CertJiiparus novce-zealandicB, 0. 



* Anthornis auriocula, BuUer. — This species, wiiicli is a native of the Cliatliam Isles, 

 resembles closely the common korimako {A. melanura) , btit is appreciably larger, and the 

 tints of the plumage are lighter. The chief distinguishing feature is that in this fcii'd the 

 irides are bright yellow, while they are crimson in Anthornis melanura. 



Mr. Grray, after describing the common species, (' Voy. Er. and Ter.' p. 4), observes, "Two 

 others were also in the collection marked from the Auckland Islands. These differ in being 

 somewhat larger in all then- proportions." It is probable that these were specimens of 

 Anthornis auriocula. This bird is plentiful on the Chatham Isles, where it is called by the 

 natives "makomako." It appears to hold an intermediate station between A. melano- 

 cejphala and A. melanura, the former of which is also a Chatham Island species. 



t Gerygone assiwdlis, BuUer. — In form and colour this bii-d is hardly distinguishable 

 from G. fiaviventris, although somewhat larger. It measures in length 42- inches ; 

 extent, 6 ; wing from flexure, 2| ; tail, 2 ; rictus, \ ; tarsus, J. 



A comparison of the nests of these birds will remove any doubt as to then' being 

 specifically distinct. That of the smaller species is a compact little nest measuring about 

 6 inches by 31^. It is " bottle-shaped" — full and rounded at the base and tapering upwards 

 to a point, by which it is suspended. It is composed of a variety of soft materials — 

 spiders' nests, dry moss, grass, vegetable fibres, &c. The spiders' nests consist of a soft, 

 silky substance, by the aid of which the materials composing the nest are woven into a 

 compact wall with a smooth and finished exterior. The entrance, which is situated on the 

 side of the nest, is so small as to barely admit the finger, and it is protected from the 

 weather by a very ingenious contrivance. It is surrounded by a protecting rim or ledge, 

 composed of extremely fine roots, interlaced or loosely woven together, and firmly secured to 

 the groundwork of the nest. This facing is arched at the top so as to form a vestibule or porch, 

 while at the base it stands out boldly from the wall and is nearly an inch in depth, thus, 

 furnishing a firm and secure threshold for the bird in its passage to and from the cell. 

 The interior apartment or cavity is about two inches deep, and is thickly lined with soft 



