ORiMlMSS&BIFOEMES.] 



]FAMiisx'GJjAUGO-pmmj ; 



G ' L ] A 'ifGOPl'S M Wti fe/E A" 

 (ORANGE-WATTLED' cfeow.) 



Glaucopis cinerea, Grmelin ; Biillerj Birds of New Zealand, vol. 1*, p. 5. 



THiS !i is perhaps the most striking instance of the parallelism which produces representative 1 

 species 1 in the North and South Islands 1 respectively. This aberrant Crow, known as ' the 

 Kokako, exists on both sides of Cook Strait which divides the two main islands ; ;' : tno ! se' at the 1 

 NorthXhave large fleshy wattles at the angles of the mouth, of a brilliant blue colour, while 1 

 those at the South have similar wattles of a bright orange-yellow, changing to blue 1 at 

 the root. The birds are practically alike f m other respects, but represent two entirely distinct 

 species, ; affording good evidence of the j long period of time that marks the physical separation 

 of the' Islands. Numerous other instances of this parallel representation are mentioned in 

 the course of my work, the difference in every 1 case being characteristic and constant, clearly 

 the result of selection and gradual development under the operation of well-known natural 

 laws/- ■ ' • ■ ■ ;] V ' ; - '. :f 



• ©r. Cahill, of Wellington, kindly presented me with a live bird which he had received' 

 frofn Westport; and I had it in my possession many months. The bird was accustomed to ; 

 occupy a large wire cage in my library, and was a very lively companion, being perpetually' 

 on the 1 move and very musical. Filially it died in a fit, due, I think, to over -feeding 1 

 without the stimulus of freer exercise.' It was an adult male and in perfect plumage, with; 

 bright orange wattles, dark /blue at the base.' Its habitual note, emitted frequently, but 1 

 chiefly in the early morning ; and forenoon,' was a long, plaintive double-note, pitched in a 

 minor key, very pleasant to hear, but to my mind possessing less richness than the organ^ 

 note of the North Island bird (Q. wilsoni)i It was accustomed to use its feet on eating 

 leaves or berries presented to it, •jus't as a Parrot would. On offering this bird a large blue-' 

 bottle fly he held it to his perch in the ' manner described, and deliberately tore off one 

 wing, then the other, tasted its flavour : and immediately dropped it. As a rule he would' 

 not touch insects, but showed great fondness for succulent leaves of any kind and all sorts, 

 of berries, particularly those of Cojwosma Moida, whether ripe or green. ^ It ate freely 5 

 of the ripe fruit of the whauhe, but it c had a\ scouring effect, and I had to discontinue^ 

 the use of this food. It partook readily of cooked potato, boiled rice, and soaked bread;' 

 and it was fond of water, drinking freely, but rarely washing itself as other birds do, and 

 yet its plumage was always in clean, silky condition. The wattles were always carried 

 tightly compressed under the chin and meeting at their edges. As I became better acquainted 

 with the bird I found that it possessed several notes besides those described in the recorded 

 history of the species. In the early morning, or before rain, it had a melancholy call like 

 " Kowai-Jcoe ? " (Who are you?) in a high key; at "other times a mellifluous whistle, and 

 every now and then a liquid note, twice repeated, quite indistinguishable from the evening 

 bell-toll of the Tui. To this is no doubt due the circumstance that this is the Bell-bird 

 of many of the country settlers. Occasionally, but not often, it sounded the rich organ- 

 note — short, but of surpassing sweetness — and at other times a soft note in repetition like 

 the low whimper of the Huia. The mention of yet another note, not unlike a short, hollow 

 cough will prove that this bird was not wanting in vocal accomplishments. Curiously 

 enough, after losing its tail by accident, the Kokako moped and hardly uttered a sound, 



