Potts. — Birds of Nem Zealand. 147 



nest on tlie outstretched limb of a broad-leaf tree [Griselinia littoralis), a few- 

 feet above a creek. This was on the Havelock Kiver. 



In January last, whilst exploring the bush that fringes Mil ford Sound, 

 the writer was so fortunate as to discover five nests, at heights varying from 

 ten to seventeen feet above the ground. The first specimen we found placed 

 on the extended limb of a totara (Fodocarpus) that overhung a deep, ferny 

 gully. The nest had been reared on the remains of an old structure, and the 

 foundation, which was quite two feet across, made of sticks and sprays firmly 

 interlaced, supported a basin-shaped nest formed of twigs and moss 

 (Sphagnum), smoothly lined with leaves of soft grass. From wall to wall 

 outside the measurement was found to be 16 inches; diameter of the cavity 

 8 inches, with a depth of 3-5 inches. 



The parent bird on the nest allowing a very close approach, was found to 

 be covering two nestlings as yet imable to see. They were partially clothed 

 with slate-coloured down, which, on the cranium, stood up like a broad crest, 

 or rather crown ; the neck and under-parts were quite bare ; beaks flesh- 

 colour, with a greenish tinge about the point of the upper mandible ; riotal 

 membranes pale greenish, changing to blue ; wattles rosy pink, like an infant's 

 hand ; legs and feet slatish anteriorly, dull flesh colour behind ; claws dull 

 white. They difiered somewhat in size ; both were very plump, being 

 abundantly fed with the berries of the tutu {Coriaria). The old bird sufiered 

 a close examination of its home and its inmates without uttering any alarm 

 cry or showing any signs of defending its young, thus diS'ering much from the 

 habit of Keropia ; yet there was not that exhibition of utter helplessness 

 which some birds — as for instance Hymenolaimus — manifest under similar 

 circumstances. The other nests were found in damp situations (one with a 

 broken egg) in a small patch of bush at Freshwater Basin, close by the Lady 

 Bowen Waterfall. From observation we found that the young are left at 

 intervals during the day for a eonside table time. 



A friend sent two eggs from a nest found near the Paringa Biver, West- 

 land. They are of a warm stone colour, with pm-plish and brown spots ; 

 ovo-conical ; in length 1 inch 7 lines ; in breadth 1 inch 1 line. They bear 

 much resemblance to the eggs of some species of Terns in colour and marks. 

 We are inclined to believe that eggs of this bu'd are often destroyed by the 

 long-tailed cuckoo {Eudynamis tahitiensis). 



The weight of the female Crow is 10|- ounces, whilst that of the male is 

 found to average from 9| to 10 ounces. 



The writer found that in the Wairarapa the Glaucopis wilsoni is some- 

 times familiarly known as " the blue-gills." 



It is said that G. cinerea has been found in the North Island. 



