54 
My account of this species in the former edition of this work commenced thus : “ This interesting 
little bird is distributed all over the North Island, but is replaced in the South by a representative 
species, the Orthonyx ochrocejohala or Yellow-head. It frequents all wooded localities, but seems 
to prefer the outskirts of the forest and the low hush fringing the banks of rivers and streams. It is 
gregarious in its nature ; and the report of a gun, the cry of a Hawk, or any other exciting cause 
will instantly bring a flock of them together, producing a perfect din with their loud chirping notes. 
It is a curious or inquisitive bird, following the intruder as he passes through the bush, and watching 
all his movements in a very intelligent manner. If he remains stationary for a few moments, it will 
peer at him through the leaves with evident curiosity, and will hop gradually downwards fiom twig 
to twig, stretching out its neck and calling to its fellows in a loud chirp, and approaching the object 
of this scrutiny till almost within reach of his hand.” 
But alas ! what of the Popokotea in this year of grace 18871 In the interesting account which 
Mr. Reischek has furnished me of a collecting tour he made through almost eveiy pait of the island 
lying to the north of Hawke’s Bay, he says : — “ I found one pair of Ortlionyx allicilla on Castle Hill, 
Coromandel, one pair in the Pirongia ranges, Waikato, and one pair in the f uhua langes, neai 
Mokau ; that was all.” So this is the rapid fate of the pretty, noisy, little \Y hite-head, once the 
commonest bird in all our northern forests ! 
Even five years ago it was quite plentiful on Te Iwituaroa, at the north-east extremity of the 
Kuranui-whaiti range in the Waikato district ; but now it has disappeared entirely. It is still 
numerous on the island of Kapiti in Cook’s Strait, and on the Little Barrier ; but, strange to say, 
it no longer exists on the Great Barrier, Kawau, the Hen and Chickens, or indeed, so far as I am 
aware, on any of the other islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The only localities on the mainland in which 
I have met with it of late are the wooded hill-tops in the Upper Wairarapa district, and a clump 
of bush near the Owhaoko station in the Patea country, at a considerable elevation above the sea. 
It has a simple but very melodious song, some bars of it reminding one of the musical notes of 
English birds. Its loud chirp is not unlike that of the House-Sparrow, but sharper. 
Its food consists of insects and minute seeds. It is very active in all its movements, flitting 
about among the leafy branches and often ascending to the lofty tree-tops ; clinging by the feet head 
downwards, and assuming every variety of attitude as it prosecutes its diligent search for the small 
insects on which it principally subsists. I have frequently observed it inserting its beak into the 
flower of the Metrosidej'os, either for the purpose of extracting honey, or, as is more likely, to prey 
on the insects that are attracted by it. I have also known them occasionally caught on the tuke 
baited with these flowers to allure the Tui and Korimako, which are genuine honey-eaters. 
I have found scores of nests of this species, and have made frequent but ineffectual attempts to 
rear the young in a cage. The nest is usually fixed in the fork of a low shrubby tree, frequently that 
of the Ramarama ( Myrtus lullata ), and is always so placed as to be well concealed from observation. 
It is a round, compact, and well-constructed nest, being composed of soft materials, such as moss, dry 
leaves, spiders’ nests, shreds of native flax, and sometimes wool, all firmly knit together. The cavity 
is deep and well rounded, the walls being formed of dry bents and vegetable fibres, aad thickly lined 
with soft feathers. The lip or outer edge of the nest is carefully bound in with these fibres, 
sometimes mixed with spiders’ webs, and often presenting a high degree of finish. Hie eggs are 
usually three in number, but sometimes four ; they are of proportionate size, measuring -8 of an inch 
in length by -6 in breadth, rather rounded in form, and with a shell of very delicate texture. They 
are creamy white, minutely speckled or marbled over the entire surface with reddish brown, the 
markings being denser towards the thick end, where they sometimes form an irregular zone. During 
incubation the hen bird sits closely, and leaves the nest with reluctance, almost permitting herself to 
. be touched by the hand before quitting it. 
