

136 



The cup, which is very shallow, is lined with dry grasses. There are two eggs in the 

 collection referred to this species; one of these, about the identification of which I 

 am in doubt, is pure white; the other is somewhat smaller, measuring 1*25 in. by '75 in., 

 and is white with scattered brown spots and dots at the larger end. 



A large cone-shaped structure fixed in the fork of a manuka tree {Leptospermum, 

 scoparium) which graces the collection of nests in the Canterbury Museum is assigned 

 to this species. It is fully 10 in. in depth, with a width at the top of about 8 in., and 

 is composed of small dry twigs and kohukohu moss pressed well together; its deep, round 

 cup is lined with fine grass bents. 



Order PASSERIFORMES.l 



[Family PARIDiE. 



CERTHIPARUS NOV^-ZEALANDIiE 



(NEW-ZEALAND CREEPER.) 



Certhiparus novae-zealandiaB, Lafresnaye ; Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. i., p. 51. 



This little bird loves to flit about among the tops of high trees, where its movements are 

 very similar to those of Pseudogerygone. 



The young does not differ from the adult, except that the colours of the plumage are 

 somewhat duller and the tail shorter. 



A nest of this species, from the Eangitata Eiver, has a peculiar rounded, oval shape, 

 and is composed of moss, small leaves, and fine, wiry twigs, compactly felted together, and 

 presents a deep, well-finished cavity placed at one end of it, the edges being neatly finished 

 off, and bound with cobweb. 



In a communication to the 'Ibis' (July, 1903) Captain Hutton has proposed to change 

 the generic name from Certhiparus to Finschia " in honour of Dr. Otto Finsch, so well 

 known as an ornithologist, and one who has given us much help in New Zealand." His 

 reason for this is thus stated :• — 



A re-examination of these forms Las convinced me that Dr. Gadow is right in placing all three in 

 the same family, but that Gray and Buller are correct in separating G. novm-zealandicc from the others 

 generically ; while I also agree with Lafresnaye and Finsch that G. ochrocephalus and G. albicillus 

 cannot be kept in the same genus on account of the great differences in their legs and feet. So, in 

 my opinion, each species should form a separate genus. 



Next as to the names. The type of Certhiparus is C. albicillus, and this name must therefore be 

 kept for that species. For G. ochrocephalus the oldest name is Mohua of Lesson (1837). Quoy and 

 Gaimard had stated that the Maori name of this species is Mohoua (which, however, was a mistake), 

 and Gray apparently altered the spelling to suit his own views. I see no good reason for dropping 

 Mohua in favour of Clitonyx. 



Whilst as anxious as Captain Hutton to do honour to Dr. Finsch, I fear I cannot 



