99 



and under tail- coverts. The primaries and outer tail-feathers have their external -webs narrowly mar- 

 gined with very pale brown ; the rest of the quills and tail-feathers are dusky black, edged externally 

 with olivaceous brown. There is a large spot of white on the secondaries corresponding to that in the 

 male, with faint indications of yellow towards the root of the wing ; but this is only apparent when the 

 wings are spread. There are a few minute touches of white on each side of the head, corresponding in 

 position to the tufts in the male bird; but these adornments are wanting in this sex. Total length 

 7'25 inches; wing, from flexure, 3"75; tail 2 - 75 ; culmen '55 ; tarsus 1. 



Obs. In some examples of the male the colours are brighter, the pectoral zone being wider and deepening 

 to a clear orange-yellow, while the quills and larger wing-coverts have a narrow external margin of 

 yellowish olive. 



Remarks. This species is furnished with hair-like bristles at the angles of the mouth measuring half an inch 

 in length. The tongue has a pencilled or brush-like termination ; the hind claw is almost twice the 

 length of those of the fore toes, which are about equal, measuring - 25 of an inch in their curvature ; the 

 tail is of medium length and slightly cuneiform. 



This New-Zealand form approaches closely to a numerous group of Australian birds comprehended under 

 the generic name of Ptilotis, among which it was originally placed. It has since, however, been recog- 

 nized as the type of a distinct genus. 



This handsome species has only a limited range. It is comparatively common in the southern 

 parts of the North Island, and may be met with as far north as the wooded ranges between 

 Waikato Heads and Raglan, beyond which it is extremely rare. It is never found in the 

 country north of Auckland, with the exception of one locality, the Barrier Islands, where 

 Captain Hutton records it "not uncommon" in December 1868. I have never heard of its 

 occurrence anywhere in the South Island. It affects deep wooded gullies, and is seldom found on 

 the summits of the ranges. In the dense timber covering old river-bottoms or low-lying flats it 

 may be sought for ; but it rarely frequents the light open bush or the outskirts of the forest. It 

 is, moreover, a very shy bird ; and being most active in all its movements, it is not easily shot. 

 Its food consists of insects, the honey of various bush-flowers, and the smaller kinds of berries. 

 It often frequents the topmost branches of the high timber, where it may be seen flitting about 

 in search of insects. If disturbed by the report of a gun, it will fly off to a neighbouring tree 

 with a light and graceful movement of the wings ; but when descending to a lower station, it 

 adopts a different manner of flight, elevating the tail almost to a right angle with the body, and 

 scarcely moving the wings at all. 



The male bird erects the tail and spreads the ear-tufts when excited or alarmed; but the 

 female habitually carries the tail perfectly erect. The sexes vary so much in appearance that 

 many of the natives regard them as distinct species, and call them by different names. The male 

 bird utters at short intervals and with startling energy a melodious whistling call of three notes. 

 At other times he produces a sharp clicking sound like the striking of two quartz stones together : 

 the sound has a fanciful resemblance to the word " stitch," whence the popular name of the bird 

 is derived. The female also utters this note, but not the former one ; and being recluse in her 

 habits as well as silent, she is seldom seen. 



Very little is at present known of the breeding-habits of this bird. A nest assigned to it, 



o2 



