Potts. — Birds of New Zealand. 149 



been made on those of the Whistler; yet repeated attempts have failed to discover 

 any guide why the number of its notes should so greatly vary ; whether the 

 bird's call is affected by the state of the atmosphere, temperature, the force of 

 the wind, or the quarter whence it blows. 



At all hours it may be heard in its season, but at night the call seems most 

 sustained, both as regai'ds the distinct notes or whistles, and the remarkable 

 song or flourish with which it often ends the performance. 



Some Notes, taken from October 25th to November 10th. 



Lowest and Highest Number of Notes, 



11.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 3.45 a.m. 4.45 a.m. 6.45 a.m. 



14 to 34 18 to 41 15 to 24 13 to 25 



11.45 a.m. to 0.20 p.m. 4.30 p.m. 6 p.m. 9 p.m. 



3 to 42 11 to 35 12 to 44 18 to 68 



10.5 p.m. 11 p.m. 



17 to 64 25 to 107 



The notes do not include the terminal song or flourish. 



October 8, 1872. — Whistler heard for the first time. 



October 6, 1873. — Just heard the Whistler's call; this is early, as the spring 

 is a late one. Their route on arrival seems to be from W. to E., or N.W. to 

 S.E. 



In the early morning the call of the Cuckoo is certainly more plaintive in 

 tone than at other times. This call is delivered without that evident labour 

 which accompanies the outpourings of some species of birds. Whilst 

 performing it sits rather low on its perch, the head is slightly raised, the bill 

 pointing rather upwards, the head is slowly moved from side to side, 



November 4. — -Female Whistler killed by dashing against the plate-glass 

 windows ; irides liver brown, inclining to reddish brown ; tarsus and toes 

 slaty blackish, beneath dii'ty flesh ; ovaries not in an advanced state, 



November 11. — Another female Whistler suffered a similar fate. 



November 12. — Whistlers feeding on the moths that are busy about the 

 ngaio trees {Myoporum loetum) ; in picking off the moths the gape is opened 

 very wide. Whilst feeding a few low, brief notes are uttered. 



Have seen this Cuckoo hotly pursued by the black fantail {R. fuliginosa). 

 When alarmed its call sounds like '^peewau, peewau." 



No, 59, — Carpophaga nov.^-zealandi^, GmL 

 Pigeon. 

 Perhaps few birds show more art in the construction of their homes than 

 does the Pigeon in the arrangement of the slender twigs which form the well- 

 poised platform on which it rears its young. The slight fabric, which at first 

 glance appears of a rude, careless make, has its materials so nicely adjusted as 

 to bear with safety the weight of its heavy builders. It may be said to 

 resemble somewhat the hollow of the human hand. In the slight depression 



