BuLLER. — Ornithologyjyf New Zealand. 221 



macidicaiidiis, Petroica onacrocepliala, P. dleffenhachli, P. toitoi, P. lonrjij)es, 

 P. aJhifrons, and Anthus novce-zealandice. Tlie specific difference between 

 Splienceacus pioncfatios and S. fidvus, as determined by Mr. Gray, is open to 

 question, as tbe former species is subject to much, variation. 



Probably to the genus Zosterops of this family belongs a small migratory 

 bird called by the natives kanohimowhiti. It is properly a South Island 

 species, retiring to the southern parts of Otago during the summer months, 

 and advancing northwards into the].N'elson Province on the approach of 

 winter. 



The history of its appearance in the North Island is very remarkable. 

 It crossed over, for the first time in the memory of the native inhabitants, in 

 the winter of 1856. It appeared then in flocks numbering from twenty to 

 fifty, and after a sojourn of nearly three months suddenly departed. After 

 this it did not venture across the Straits for a period of [three] two years, but 

 appeared in Wellington again, in greater numbers than before, in the winter 

 of 1858, and repeated the visit regularly during the four years that followed. 

 Since 1862 it has been a permanent resident in the Wellington Province, 

 retiring in summer to the elevated lands of the interior, and returning to 

 the coast districts on the aj^proach of winter. This bird is invaluable to the 

 orchards and gardens, where it subsists almost entirely on the destructive 

 little Aphis known as American blight. The author has not yet had an 

 opportunity of comparing this little migrant with the four species of 

 Zosterops recorded from Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, and therefore 

 hesitates to pronounce it a new bird. 



Pam. TuEDiD^. — We have two representatives of this family belonging to 

 different genera. One of them, Mimits caruncuJatus,^' is found only in the 

 extreme north, while the other, Tarnagra crass irostris, has a southern, range, 

 being extremely rare to the north of Taranaki. 



feathers ; and the uest forms altogether a well-proportioned and symmetrical structure, 

 testifying alike to the skill and industry of the modest little- builder. 



The nest of the other species is of a somewhat similar size, but it is fuller in the middle 

 than the one described, and is pear-shaped towards the apex instead of tapering. The 

 materials Composing it are of coarser texture, there is less execution or finish about it, and 

 the ingenious porch, the peculiar feature of the one, is altogether wanting in the other. 

 Moreover, the orifice is much larger, and the interior lining consists of soft grass capsules 

 instead of birds' feathers. The eggs of Gerygone assimilis are generally three in number, 

 of proportionate size, slightly pyriform in shape, and marked at the larger end with reddish 

 spots on a white ground, while the eggs of the other species usually number four, are 

 about one-third less in size, and of pure white. 



* Mimus canmculatus, Buller. — Prevailing colour greyish-brown, darkest on the back ; V 

 crown and surrounding parts dark brown ; on the hind neck and back a touch of white 

 down the centre of each feather ; throat and a patch behind each wattle greyish-white ; 

 ear-coverts and below the eye silvery gray ; sides of the neck and breast tinged with 

 fulvous ; on the abdomen a patch of canary yellow, diluted on the edges. Quills and tail- 



