64 
Obs. The sexes are alike. In some examples the under tail-coverts are pure white, while in others the upper 
wing-coverts are broadly margined with light rufous-brown. Allowing for this variation, I cannot see the 
propriety of admitting the supposed new species from Queen Charlotte’s Sound (An thus grayi, Bonap.), 
which I have accordingly expunged from our list. 
Varieties. Albinos, more or less pure, are of common occurrence. The following is the description of an 
example in the Canterbury Museum :-General plumage pure white, varied on the back and wings with 
brownish grey; some of the quills and tail-feathers pure white, the others dark brown, as m ordinary 
specimens; bill and feet white horn-colour; the hind claw conspicuously long, measuring -55 of an mcli. 
Another specimen, in Mr. J. C. Firth’s fine collection at Mount Eden, has the whole plumage dull creamy 
white, stained and washed on the upper parts of the body with yellowish brown. Captain Mair writes 
to me : — “ I saw a pure white Lark, two days in succession, at Sulphur Point, but could not find it when I 
went with a gun”; and several other correspondents refer to similar occurrences m various parts of the 
country. 
Of this bird I may remark that it is a true Pipit both in structure and in its habits of life. It bears 
a general resemblance to an Australian species ( Anthus australis), but the specific difieience. 
sufficiently manifest on an actual comparison of the two birds. 
It is common throughout the country, frequenting the open land, and sometimes resorting to 
the dry sands along the sea-shore. During the autumn months it is gregarious, and may then be 
observed in flocks varying in number from twenty to fifty or more, alternately collecting and mounting 
in the air with a loud cheerful note, and scattering themselves again on the open ground to search 
for their food, which consists of insects and their larvte, small earthworms, and occasionally minute 
seeds as well. At sundown the flocks break up, each bird seeking a convenient resting-place lor the 
nffiht ; and with the first streak of daylight they begin to reassemble. . On the approach of winter 
the flocks disperse *, and the birds appear to pair off at once, and remain so till the breeding-season 
arrives. They are always plentiful on the settlers’ farms, and may be seen during the summer 
months perched in large parties on the roofs of the country houses or on the surrounding fences and 
outbuildings. They may sometimes be observed in similar situations within the towns, and notably 
on the roofs of churches and other lofty edifices. They love to resort to the roads and beaten paths, 
where they amuse the traveller by their playfulness, running before him as he advances, then rising 
in the air with a sharp but pleasant chirp, settling down again and running forward as before, and 
continually flirting the tail upwards. During the heat of the day they may often be seen sitting on 
the logs or fences with their beaks wide open as if gasping for air. They repose at night on the 
ground, finding shelter among the grass or fern on the open ridges or on the wayside, where the 
benighted traveller, as he plods along, may often disturb them and hear the sharp rustling of t eir 
wings as they rise startled at his very feet. 
When searching for food, a flock of these birds will spread themselves out in all directions ; but 
the instant a Hawk appears in sight, or some other common danger threatens, they will rise into the 
* The accuracy of the above statement, in my former edition, having been called in question (Ibis, 18,4, p. 38) I made 
careful observations over a continuous period of ten years, during which time I was constantly moving from one part of the colony 
to the other. From the notes in my diary I have abstracted the following particulars -.-Autumn months (March, April, 
and May), numerous flocks, and often of considerable size, all over the country ; winter months (June, July, and August), always 
in pairs • spring and summer (September to February, inclusive), still in pairs, but sometimes congregating. I have seen a flock 
numbering upwards of fifty as early as September 4. In the months of November and December it is a common thing to see 
parties of five or six, consisting probably of early broods of the year ; and I find a note of one party of five on the 23rd October. 
The autumnal gathering commences about the second week in March, at the close of a prolonged breeding-season, with probably 
two broods ; and I have no record of any flock after the beginning of June. Professor Hutton’s statement that “ they congregate 
in the autumn after the breeding-season is over and disperse to breed in spring” would seem to imply that the flocks keep 
together during the winter ; but this is certainly not the case. 
