

^gn^nQBra 



109 



clouds hang around the rugged pinnacles, like huge diaphanous veils. Amid this wild environ- 

 ment, ever in motion and flitting about with the activity of mice, in quest of the minute 

 insects on which they subsist, and the seeds of various Alpine plants, the Eock Wren shares 

 the habitat of the little mountain lizard (Lygosoma moco). Its colours so harmonise with 

 its surroundings, that it is almost impossible to detect its presence except when in motion ; and 

 it is then so nimble that it is a very difficult thing to obtain a shot. The bird is admirably 

 suited to its environment ; and, as I have already pointed out (2nd ed., vol. i., p. 112), there 

 is a peculiar adaptation to its habits of life in the appreciable elongation of its hind claw, 

 as compared with that of its near congener, the Bush Wren. 



In the last letter received from Mr. Brough, dated Nelson, September 10th, 1905, he 

 writes: "I have lately visited Mount Kendal, a barren mountain, composed of granite, and 

 having little or no vegetation on its surface. It is about the remotest point one can reach 

 from Nelson. I spent two days and a night on the desert mountain, and obtained three Eock 

 Wrens there. Why this silent little bird should select so desolate a place to live in is a 

 mystery to me. I found it very difficult to decoy them out from amongst the mountain debris 

 where they effectually hide themselves. I saw only five during the whole of my visit, and the 

 three I skinned were unfortunately carried off by rats, in spite of all my precautions." 



Order PASSEEIFOEMES.] 



[Family XENICID^. 



TllAVEESIA INSULARIS. 



(STEPHEN-ISLAND WEEN.) 



1 



Xenicus insularis, Buller, Ibis, 1895, p. 236. 



Theee is probably nothing so refreshing to the soul of a naturalist as the discovery of a 

 new species. Quite apart from the satisfaction of being able to impose a specific name, which, 

 according to the accepted rules of zoological nomenclature, must be respected for all time, there 

 is an indescribable charm in the mere fact of discovery. It is common to all naturalists in 

 every branch of research, and operates as a spur to the most tedious and difficult investigations. 

 With some specialists the ruling passion is to append the coveted mihi to the new species ; 

 but in the case of most naturalists this consideration is, I really think, subservient to a loftier 

 feeling — that love of discovery which is so characteristic of the true man of science. In a 

 country where the fauna and flora have been pretty thoroughly worked, such as New Zealand, 

 the delight experienced at finding an undoubted new species is, of course, proportioned to the 

 rarity of such occurrences. It will be readily understood, therefore, how pleased I was at 

 receiving, through the kind offices of Mr. Bethune, of the Government steamboat, 'Hinemoa,' 

 the skin of a bird from Stephen Island which was entirely distinct from anything hitherto 

 known, I saw at a glance that it belonged to the small group of New Zealand birds which I 

 had placed in a family by themselves under the name of Xenicidce. Possessing characters 



