94 



favourably placed, continue to exist in undiminished numbers. As examples of this latter class, 

 I may instance the Kingfisher, which usually scoops out a hole for its nest in the upright bole of 

 a dead tree, quite beyond the reach of rats, and appears to be more abundant now than ever ; 

 also the Mhipidura, Zosterops, Gerygone, and other small birds whose delicate nests are secured to 

 slender twigs, or suspended among vines and creepers. And the Ground- Lark, again, which nests 

 in open grass or fern land, where the Harrier (Circus gouldi) keeps the rat well under control, 

 has of late years sensibly increased, being now very common. As a matter of fact, I have known 

 a case in which half a dozen nests of the Tui, within a radius of a hundred yards, were robbed by 

 rats of both eggs and young. 



But to resume our history of the " Bell-bird " — so-called from the fanciful resemblance of 

 one of its notes to the distant tolling of a bell. Its ordinary song is not unlike that of the Tui or 

 Parson bird, but is more mellifluous. Its notes though simple are varied and sweetly chimed ; 

 and as the bird is of social habits, the morning anthem, in which scores of these sylvan choristers 

 perform together, is a concert of eccentric parts, producing a wild but pleasing melody. I have 

 occasionally heard a solitary Bell-bird pouring forth its liquid notes after the darkness of advan- 

 cing night had silenced all the other denizens of the grove. It ought to be mentioned, moreover, 

 that both sexes sing. When alarmed or excited, they utter a strain of notes which I can only 

 compare to the sound produced by a policeman's rattle quickly revolved. This cry, or the bird- 

 catcher's imitation of it, never fails to attract to the spot all the Bell-birds within hearing. The 

 Maoris are accustomed to snare them by means of a tuM baited with the crimson flowers of the 

 Metrosideros. The bird alights on the treacherous perch to sip the flowers, and a sudden jerk on 

 a running noose secures it firmly by the leg. 



In former times, when this species was abundant throughout the whole country, certain 

 forest-ranges were famed as Korimako preserves, and were highly prized on that account by the 

 natives owning them. At the present day, in the investigation of native titles to land, the " snaring 

 of Korimakos " by their ancestors is an act of ownership frequently pleaded in support of the tribal 

 claim. 



The flight of this bird is undulating, but very rapid, the wings and tail being alternately 

 opened to their full extent and sharply closed. It sometimes mounts to a considerable height in 

 the air, and I have occasionally observed large parties of them indulging in a playful flight far 

 above the tree-tops. 



Its food consists of minute flies and insects, as well as small berries, such as those of the 

 karamu (Coprosma lucida) and other shrubs, and the honey of various kinds of bush-flowers. 

 When feeding on the latter, it may be seen hanging by the feet in all positions from the slight 

 flower-bearing twigs, while the slender bill, with the pencilled tongue protruded, is thrust into 

 the corolla of each flower hi quick succession. 



When the korari (Phormium tenax) is in full bloom, the horn-shaped flowers are filled with 

 delicious nectar, which the natives are accustomed to collect in calabashes, to be used as a drinking- 

 beverage for visitors. The Bell-bird, too, loves to regale itself on this saccharine production ; and 

 while the season lasts, its forehead is often stained red from the colouring-matter that adheres to 

 the feathers. When the bird, with the change of season again, is feasting itself from the smaller 

 cups of the pretty native fuchsia (F. excorticata), the stain on the forehead changes to a very 

 bright purple or blue. 



