Order PASSEKES.] [Fam. SYLVIIDiE. 



SPHENCEACUS PITNCTATTS. 



(COMMON UTICK.) 



Synallaxis punctata, Quoy & Gaim. Voy. de l'Astrol. i. p. 255, 1. 18. fig. 2 (1830). 

 Sphenceacus punc-tatus, Gray, Voy. Ereb. and Terror, p. 5 (1844). 

 Megalurus pimctatus, Gray, Gen. of B. i. p. 169 (1848). 



Native names. 

 Mata, Matata, Kotata, Nako, and Koroatito. 



Ad. supra ochrascenti-fulvus, dorsi plumis medialiter nigris, lineas latas longitudinales formantibus : pileo 

 rufescente, fronte imniaculata, vertice angustius nigro striolato : loris et regione oculari albidis : facie 

 laterali albida, brunneo inaculata, regione parotica bruunescente : tectricibus alarum dorso concoloribus 

 et eodem mode- medialiter nigris : remigibus rectricibusquc nigricanti-brunneis, ochrascenti-fulvo lim- 

 batis, his acuminatis, scapis versus apicem nudis : subtus albescens, bypochondriis et subcaudalibus 

 ochrascenti-fulvis, late nigro striolatis : gutture indistincte, pectore superiore magis distincte, brunneo 

 punctatis et pectore laterali nigro lineato : rostro bruunescente, mandibula flavicante : pedibus flavidis : 

 iride nigra. 



Adult. Upper parts dark brown, each feather margined with fulvous, shading into rufous brown on the 

 forehead and crown ; streak over the eyes white ; throat, fore neck, breast, and abdomen fulvous white, 

 each feather with a central streak of black, giving to the underparts a spotted appearance ; wing-feathers 

 and their coverts blackish brown, edged with bright fulvous ; tail-feathers dark brown, with black shafts. 

 Irides black ; bill and feet pale brown. Total length 6'5 inches ; wing, from flexure, 2"25 ; tail 3'25 ; 

 bill, along the ridge -4, along the edge of lower mandible - 6; tarsus "75 ; middle toe and claw -7 ; hind 

 toe and claw - 6. 



Young. The young assume the adult plumage on quitting the nest. 



Obs. The tail-feathers have the barbs disunited in their whole extent. 



This recluse little species is one of our commonest birds, but is oftener heard than seen. It 

 frequents the dense fern (Pteris aquilina) of the open country, and the beds of raupo (Typha 

 anyusti [folia) and other tall vegetation that cover our swamps and low-lying fiats. In these loca- 

 lities it may constantly be heard uttering, at regular intervals, its sharp melancholy call of two 

 notes, u-tick, u-tick, and responsively when there are two or more. When the shades of evening 

 are closing in, this call is emitted with greater frequency and energy, and in some dreary solitudes 

 it is almost the only sound that breaks the oppressive stillness. In the Manawatu district, of the 

 Province of Wellington, where there are continuous raupo-swamps, covering an area of 50,000 

 acres or more, I have particularly remarked this ; for, save the peevish cry of the Pukeko, occa- 

 sionally heard, and the boom of the lonely Bittern, the only animate sound 1 could detect was the 



