Potts. — New Zealand Birds. 143 



it has a habit sometimes of resting on one foot, drawing up the other foot to 

 the breast, then slowly stretching out the leg, like an athlete trying his 

 muscle. 



Sometimes, when the bird just alights, or when it is perched on some weak 

 or slender bough, the tail is held almost horizontally ; when at rest we have 

 noticed that sometimes the tail is pressed against the perch. 



The writer could multiply instances of the occurrence of F. ferox, and 

 give more notes of the birds it preys on, but cui bono ? There will still be 

 found the same uncertainty in the minds of many as to the existence of one 

 or two species, which doubts may last till the genus is improved from off the 

 face of the earth. 



Up the Waio River, South Westland, at breeding time, these birds have 

 been known to chase cattle dogs to the shelter of the stockman's horse. 



No. 3. — Athene nov^-zealandi^, Gml. 

 More-pork. 



Some instances have been noticed where this useful bird has at intervals 

 taken up its abode amidst men's dwellings. During the past two years the 

 parsonage garden at Kaiapoi has afforded shelter to this industrious mouse- 

 catcher ; in another place a small niche in an out-house was tenanted by a 

 More-pork. 



Here, beneath the verandahs, we have known it prey on the moths that 

 have been fluttering on the outside of the windows, attracted by the strong 

 light within doors. 



We have the egg from the Westland Bush, taken from a hole in a tree 

 — white, smooth, of a rounded rather than oval shape, measuring through the 

 axis 1 inch and nearly 6 lines, with a breadth of 1 inch 3 lines ; weight of a 

 More-pork about 5^ ounces. 



It should be stated that castings described by Dr. Buller in his " History" 

 (p. 20), as those of the owl, are castings of the kingfisher {Ilalcyon vagans)., 

 which were collected by the writer in Governor Bay, and placed by him in 

 the Museum. 



Near the Ohungua River nests have been found with two and three eggs 

 therein. 



No. 8. — Neomorpha gouldi, Gray. 

 Huia. 



Mr. J. D. Enys has been kind enough to forward some notes taken during 

 a visit to Akitio. 



Two specimens, obtained July 3rd, 1873, weighed — Male, 353 grains; 

 female, 306 grains. 



