Native Notes. 
i2i 
with black and white, about the size of a wood-pigeon, plump, rather short 
of wing, but exceedingl)^ strong and fast in flight." This evidently is Cook's 
petrel (Aistrelata cooki), but the Maoris seem to use the word " titi " for 
several species of petrels, all of which were caught and preserved in the same 
way. Amongst these is the black petrel (Majaquciis parkiusoni), but Mr. 
Brooking maintains that this is not the true titi. He supples the Maori name 
of this bird as " te kuia." This is used also for still another mutton-bird, the 
brown petrel, which is grey above and white below. The cry of this bird has 
been described by some observers as like the bleating of a lamb. It belongs 
to the Southern Ocean, and is very common at sea from May to August, but 
retires to breed in September or October. It is the best diver of all the sea- 
going petrels. The black petrel has at least two Maori names in addition to 
the one mentioned by Mr. Brooking, namely, taonui and taiko. He states 
that is salted and is sold in large quantities as titi, being taken from many 
small islands, on some of which it breeds in thousands. He has known Maori 
boats bring away many thousands in one season from White Island, in the 
Bay of Plenty, alone. Two years ago he saw one boat bring from White 
Island to a comparatively small settlement no fewer than 900 black petrels. 
He states also that Maoris pull them out of their burrows, and while they are 
still alive make a slit in the neck and tear out the crop. It is believed that 
unless this is done, the birds, two hours after death, w'll be unfit to eat. 
Bell Birds : A Christchurch resident, who recently spent a few days 
at Aicken's, some eight miles west of Utira, reports that bellbirds there were 
very plentiful and very tame. They came in large numbers into trees close 
to the house, and were in evidence also in the forest. On one occasion he 
heard a fairly large number taking part in a chorus, the different notes har- 
monising well. The songsters were in good plumage and were a notable feat- 
ure of wild life. Amongst other birds seen in the district were tomtits, which 
were characteristically friendly to visitors, and white-eyes. At night the 
notes of many moreporks were heard from the recesses of the forests, show- 
ing that these birds are also plentiful in the ditrict. Mr. W. Mansell, Cas.'i- 
mere Hills, near Christchurch, states that bellbirds regularly visit a homestead 
at I'uketohu, Middle Valley, about ten miles from Fairlie. They are heard 
there most frecjuently in spring and autumn months, and usually visit the 
homestead about 10 a.m. and in the afternoon. The notes are deliglitfully 
liquid. Mr. G. Simpson, of Christchurch, states that about seven years ago, 
when he made a bicycle journey in the northern part of the South Island, the 
members of his party saw and heard surprisingly large numbers of bellbirds 
in the Buller Gorge. The travellers sometimes rested under trees on tlie 
road, and gave themselves up to the plea.sure of listening to the ringing notes, 
and of watching the graceful birds amongst the foliage. 
To be continued. 
