Obs. This species closely resembles Hieracidea nova zealandia, but is decidedly smaller, and has more 

 slender legs and claws. The plumage of the head and of the upper surface generally is more suffused 

 with grey; the bars on the tail are narrower and more obscure; the plumage of the underparts is 

 generally lighter, and the brown streaks on the breast are smaller and more sharply defined. As with 

 the other species, however, considerable variation exists ; and but for the manifest difference in size, it 

 would be impossible to distinguish the two birds. There is a greater disparity of size in the sexes of 

 this Hawk than in those of the preceding one. 



Although not so common as it formerly was, the Bush-Hawk is more frequently met with than 

 its congener. The high wooded lands of the interior appear to constitute its favourite haunts ; 

 and on the southern mountain-ranges of the North Island, as well as in the subalpine woods of the 

 Canterbury Province, I have found it comparatively abundant. It is a spirited little hunter, and 

 subsists by the chase, its food consisting principally of mice and small birds. During the breeding- 

 season it is more than usually bold and fearless, assailing with fury all intruders upon its nest or 

 young. Some remarkable instances of its courage are mentioned by Dr. Haast in his interesting 

 ' Journal of Explorations in the Nelson Province' *. 



" One day," says this traveller, " walking along near the margin of the forest in Camp Valley, 

 my hat was suddenly knocked off my head, and at the same time I heard a shrill cry. On looking 

 up, I found it was one of these courageous little Sparrow-Hawks that had attacked me, and which, 

 after sitting for a moment or two on a branch, again pounced on me ; and, although I had a long 

 compass-stick in my hand, with which I tried to knock it down, it repeated its attack several 



times We met with another instance of the courage of these birds in the Matakitaki 



Plains. A White Crane, of large size, standing in the water, was attacked by three of them at 

 once ; and they made frequent and well-concerted charges upon him from different quarters. It 

 was admirable to behold the Kotuku (White Crane) with his head laid back, darting his pointed 

 beak at his foes with the swiftness of an arrow, while they, with the utmost agility, avoided the 

 spear of their strong adversary, whom at last they were fain to leave unmolested. Another day, 

 in the same neighbourhood, a Cormorant (Graculus varius) passing near a tree on which two 

 of these Sparrow-Hawks were sitting, was pounced upon by them and put to hasty flight with a 

 shrill cry of terror, followed closely by his small but fierce foes ; and all three were soon out of 

 sight." 



The ordinary flight of this Hawk is direct and rapid ; but it may sometimes be seen soaring 

 high in the air, with the wings almost motionless and the tail spread into a broad fan. On the 

 wing it often utters a prolonged petulant scream. This is the signal for a general outcry among 

 the small birds within hearing ; and the Tui and Korimako will often rise in large flights and 

 follow him into the air. But the little Hawk, heeding not their menaces, pursues his course, and 

 the excitement among the feathered fraternity gradually subsides till all is quiet again. The 

 appearance of an Owl in the daytime produces a similar commotion among the small birds of the 

 forest; and I have often been guided to the hiding-place of the unfortunate "More-pork" by the 

 clamour of the persecuting mob. 



* Report of a Topographical and Geological Exploration of the Western Districts of the Nelson Province, New Zealand, 

 undertaken by the Provincial Government. Nelson : 1861. 



