3S4 A NEW BOWEE-BIRD. 



inducing my friend to accompany me, as he was 

 afraid of a war party of Gomokudins, which tribe 

 had lately given notice that they were coming- to 

 fight the Evans Bay people. However I promised 

 to protect him, and loaded one barrel with hall, 

 which g-ave him increased confidence, still he insisted 

 upon carrying a large bundle of spears and a 

 throwing-stick. Of late Paida's tribe have taken 

 steps to prevent being surprised by their enemies. 

 At night they remove in their canoes to the neigh- 

 bouring island Robumo, and sleep there, returning 

 in the morning to the shore, and take care not to 

 go away to a distance singly or unarmed. 



While watching in the scrub I caught several 

 glimpses of the tewinya (the native name) as it 

 darted through the bushes in the neighbourhood of 

 the bower, announcing its presence by an occasional 

 loud churr-r-r, and imitating the notes of various 

 other birds, especially the leather-head. I never 

 before met with a more wary bird, and for a long 

 time it enticed me to follow it to a short distance, 

 then flying off and alighting on the bower, it would 

 deposit a berry or two, run through, and be oflF 

 again (as the black told me) before I could reach 

 the spot. All this time it was impossible to get a 

 shot. At length, just as my patience was becoming 

 exhausted, I saw the bird enter the bower and 

 disappear, when I fired at random through the 

 twigs, fortunately with effect. So closely had we 

 concealed ourselves latterly, and so silent had we 



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