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of these scenes and many of the species of native birds have wholly vanished from the earth. I never visit the 

 remaining vestiges of these once beautiful old forests without experiencing feelings of profound regret for 

 their ruthless destruction and for the inevitable fate of many of the native birds that adorned their 

 precincts. It would now be a rare occurrence in the South Island, east of the Alps, to observe numbers 

 of the honey-eating Tuis and Korimakos regaling themselves as formerly on the melliferous flowers of the 

 kowhai (Sophora tetraptera) in early spring, or on the masses of crimson rata blossoms (Metrosideros 

 robusta) in the autumn. These species of birds continue in good numbers in some parts of the great forests 

 of Westland, where the echo of the bushman's axe has not yet been heard, nor the climatic conditions so 

 modified as to seriously affect their well-being. But it is only a question of time. When the destruction of the 

 native forests of the west, and the inevitable modification of the climate invariably following their 

 destruction occurs, the same melancholy fate will overtake the native birds inhabiting them, as it has done 

 in many other parts of the islands. Increasingly colder and more changeful seasons, which invariably 

 follow the clearing and destruction of the primaeval forests in New Zealand, are now unquestionably the 

 chief causes of the rapidly diminishing numbers of some species of native birds and the extinction of 

 others. 



The Eobin is very inquisitive in its disposition, and I have often attracted it by scratching 

 with a stick among the dead leaves on the surface of the ground. The bird will come flying up, 

 by short stages, and will then stand, almost bolt upright, at a short distance, watching the 

 operation with the utmost gravity. It is also amusing to witness the excitement of this 

 bird, on seeing a lighted match on the ground. It will at once fly up to it and, after 

 hopping round for a few seconds, proceed to put it out by pecking at it with its bill. The 

 West Coast diggers have a trick of lighting a few matches in a heap, and then withdrawing 

 a few steps to watch the operations of the Eobin. Sometimes a lighted match will stick to 

 the bill and cause a burn, which only adds to the wonder and excitement of the bird. This 

 peculiarity of character is known to all those who have lived much in the bush. 



A correspondent, w T riting over the initials " S. D. B.," sends the following to the Lyttelton 

 Times of April 24th: " A YQiy interesting case, showing the usefulness of a purely insectivorous 

 bird, came under my notice the other day, and is, I think, worthy of record. A friend was 

 showing me his vinery, and I was astonished to see in it a tame Eobin (Miro albifrons) 

 following him about in its characteristic fearless manner. The bird was in as perfect 

 plumage as if in its native bush, although now quite domiciled in the greenhouse, which it 

 keeps free from insect-life without injuring the vines or grapes. I was informed that the 

 Eobin occasionally gets out into the garden, but is then easily induced to return to the vinery, 

 which is, of course, kept locked when the owner is away. I asked if it did not want a mate, 

 but was told that these birds are very pugnacious, and would fight like gamecocks if shut up 

 together. Certainly this fellow seemed quite happy by himself." 



A partial albino received from Canterbury has the back and under-parts entirely white ; 

 the rest of the body-plumage slaty-black and white intermixed irregularly; quills and tail- 

 feathers normal. Bill bright yellow; legs darker yellow. 



The last nest of this species examined by me was a massive structure, measuring on the 

 outside 6 in. by 7 in., and composed of dry moss, leaves, and wiry stems, well pressed 

 together. It had a round and rather deep cup, about 3'5 in. in diameter, lined with soft 

 vegetable fibres, dry leaves, &c. 



Vol. ii— 16 



