137 



follow him in the proposed change. Notwithstanding the difference in the tarsi of the two 



birds, I have always contended that the White-head and Yellow-head should not be separated 



generically. I have placed them together in the genus Clitonyx, a view in which I am 



confirmed by Dr. Sharpe, who has followed that arrangement in his ' Handlist.' 



The egg of this species is broadly oval; greyish -white, widely freckled with purplish- 

 brown, the markings at the larger end assuming the form of a zone. 



Order PASSERIFOEMES.l 



[Family MELIPHAGID^E. 



POGONOENIS cincta 



(STITCH-BIRD.) 



Pogonornis cincta (Dubus), Buller, Birds of New Zealand, vol. i., p. 101. 

 (Native names: Hihi, Ihi, and Kotihe.) 



No doubt New Zealand has deservedly acquired a name all over the world for being 

 the most progressive of our colonies. This fact will appeal more than anything else 

 to the naturalist in the policy of acquiring, at whatever necessary public expenditure, 

 suitable island-sanctuaries in which to preserve a remnant of our unique avifauna. One of 

 these insular retreats is Hauturu, or the Little Barrier Island, about twelve square miles in 

 extent, well wooded and beautifully situated in the Hauraki Gulf, about eleven and a half 

 miles from Point Eodney. The freehold has been purchased from the Maoris, who were 

 thus induced to quit possession, and the Government has placed a custodian on the island 

 whose first duty is to protect and conserve the native fauna and flora. This little island 

 is positively the last refuge of the Stitch-Bird (Pogonornis cincta), whilst both Korimakos 

 and White-heads are still abundant there. This policy of conservation was initiated by the 

 first Liberal Premier, Mr. Ballance, at the instigation of the Earl of Onslow, when Governor 

 of New Zealand; and there can be no doubt that it is becoming increasingly popular 

 with both races. Even the Legislature has shown a praiseworthy interest in what is 

 being done in that direction. So far the experiment has been highly successful ; but it 

 would be interesting to carry it a step further. I remember urging upon Mr. Ballance 

 that a few Huias, Piopios, and Kokakos should be taken alive, whilst that is still possible, 

 and liberated on the island, all these birds being too weak-winged to escape to the mainland. 

 Mr. Ballance fully agreed; but I fear this has not yet been seriously attempted. 



Some years ago I had an opportunity of examining a large series of specimens of Pogonornis 

 collected for Mr. Spencer on the Little Barrier Island before that last resort of this species came 

 under Government protection. I observed that the young male has exactly similar plumage 

 to that of the adult female, except that there is a broad spot of canary-yellow near the bend of 

 the wing. When the first moult commences this expands into a conspicuous band on the 

 humerus, after which there is a gradual change of the body-plumage. A female of this very 

 rare species which recently came into my hands has a yellow tinge on the angle of the wings 



Vol. ii. — 18 



