95 



The Bell-bird commences breeding towards the end of September or early in October, and some- 

 times even as late as November and December. I have met with a brood of fully-fledged young 

 birds as early as October 28 ; while, on the other hand, Mr. Potts informs me that he has observed 

 it building its nest at the end of January or begnxning of February. It seems probable, therefore, that 

 this species rears two broods in the year. Its nest may be looked for in deep wooded gullies and in 

 the low brushwood along the outskirts of the forest. It is usually placed in the fork of a low 

 branch, and the bird in selecting a site seems generally to prefer those bushes over which the 

 native bramble (Rubus australis) has thrown a protecting mantle. It is a common thing to find 

 four or five old nests of former years hi the immediate vicinity of the occupied one, as if the birds 

 formed an attachment for a locality once chosen as a breeding-place. The nest is a rather loose 

 structure, composed externally of small dry twigs, sometimes interlaced with the wiry stems of 

 the bush convolvulus, over which there is a layer of fine grass disposed in a concave form, and 

 then deeply lined with feathers. The eggs are usually three in number, but sometimes four ; 

 broadly elliptical or slightly ovoido-conical in shape, and measuring "88 inch in length by "65 in 

 breadth. They are pure white, with a broad zone of reddish-brown spots towards the thicker end, 

 besides a few widely scattered dots of red over the general surface. In some specimens the 

 ground-colour exhibits a delicate pinkish tinge, and the reddish markings are more numerous and 

 distinct, often deepening to a dark chestnut-red. Among the examples in the Canterbury Mu- 

 seum, some are pinkish white, blotched at the thicker end and densely freckled all over with pale 

 reddish brown, whilst one of them presents delicate pencilled markings or veins towards the 

 smaller end. 



In the selection of feathers for the lining of its nest, this bird shows an extraordinary love 

 of decoration, the preference being given to those of striking colours. The scarlet feathers of the 

 Kaka, the bright green of the Parrakeet, and the ultramarine of the Kingfisher are sometimes 

 found intermixed ; the shining breast-feathers of the Wood-Pigeon are invariably used ; and in the 

 vicinity of habitations (as a correspondent informs me) the nest is occasionally found supplied 

 from a neighbouring poultry-yard, the sj)otted plumes of the Guinea-fowl being most conspicuous. 



During the breeding-season the parent birds evince much tender solicitude for the safety of 

 their offspring. On leaving the nest, the young have the rictal membrane (at the angles of the 

 mouth) very large and of a bright yellow colour. The old birds hunt for them with untiring 

 industry ; and the young brood may be seen perched side by side on a branch patiently waiting 

 for then - food, and on the approach of then- parents, quivering their wings with excitement, and 

 eagerly gaping their throats, all of them together, to receive the coveted morsel. 



I have made frequent attempts to rear the young, but have never succeeded. I have known 

 instances of the adult birds being caged with success; but, like the Tui, they are liable to 

 sudden convulsive fits, and seldom survive their confinement very long. At the present time, 

 however, there is a fine specimen in the Zoological Gardens, Kegent's Park, which appears not 

 only healthy, but to retain all its native sprightliness of character. 



