374 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
a few dark slatey-grey specks. In ovoid specimens, the length is one 
inch and nearly four lines; with a breadth of eleven and a-half lines ; 
elongate forms give dimensions of an inch and seven lines in length ; 
with a breadth of an inch. Sometimes the egg is of a delicate pinkish 
tinge, just staming the white, spotted with brownish grey, with 
purplish. blotches at the larger end. December appears to be the 
breeding season. The habitat ranges from the coast to the alpine 
country; I have found the nest within a few yards of high-water 
mark. Breeding places, bluffs between Mikonui and Okarito, Double 
Hill, above the Rakaia gorge, Havelock river, Arahura, Southern 
Waio, Westland. It probably breeds twice in the season. I have 
found two eggs to a nest; also—as I have said—a female incubating 
a single egg; this bird remained on the nest till pushed off. 
34. 7. Hectort, Buller. 
Thrush, Piopio.—It is probable that the breeding habits of this 
bird do not differ from those of the last mentioned species, to which 
it bears such close resemblance. 
Family Muscicapide—Flycatchers. 
Genus—Rhipidura. 
35. Rhipidura flabellifera, Gul. 
Pied Fantail, Pied Flycatcher, Ti-waka-waka.—This well known 
and familiar bird seems to prefer a locality for breeding that affords a 
certain amount of shade, not far from water; very often a gully is 
chosen for the purpose, as offering these advantages. It is a very 
neat builder and quick worker ; its activity in collecting material and 
the expertness it displays in properly fitting them into position, must 
strike with admiration anyone who spends a little time in watching 
its proceedings. Both sexes work, but the greater part of the labour 
devolves on the female, as her mate spends much of his time in 
delivering himself of his little twittering song, whilst his consort is 
busy at the nest. Like the Petroica it will use up suitable material 
that may be supplied, but I have found that should anything be 
offered of a bright colour, the showy stuff is worked up inside, so as 
to be out of sight.* ‘'Bhe style of building it sometimes adopts is 
peculiar in fixing the foundation and so binding it that the nest has 
a tail-like appendage; chips of decayed :wood are often employed 
about this part of the structure; sometimes very fine rootlets, or 
grasses, or moss.t Perhaps as frequently the nest is built so as to 
appear just perched on a bough; from the foundation the walls are 
carried up regularly; and infinite pains and labour are bestowed in 
shaping and firmly fitting together the various materials.{ I have — 
seen an additional rim put on the nest after the young were hatched. 
The eggs are usually four in number. I havea note of having seen 
four young and two addled eges in a nest. The egg is ovoid, white, 
with yellowish brown marks, often more numerous towards the larger 
end; or white, with a slight yellowish tinge, similarly marked; im 
length about eight lines, with a breadth of six lines. Here it com- 
* Trans. N.Z. Institute, Vol. III., p. 79; plate 8. 
+ Idem, Vol. II., plate 4. 
+ Idem, Vol. III., p. 79. 
