BIRDS 
58 
insects, which it pursues and catches with astonish- 
ing rapidity- It is a very bold and daring bird ; 
and will fly so close to you, as to allow you to 
strike it down or catch it with the hand. The 
natives seldom harm them, as they destroy so 
many sand-flies and musketoes. 
Riroriro — A very small brown bird, with white 
feathers under the wings and tail. The plumage 
on the breast is of a lighter brown than on any 
other part of the body. It builds its nest on the 
ground, under shelter of the thickest fern. It 
has no song. 
Pihoihoi — This bird resembles the canary in 
shape and size : it is however no songster, and its 
plumage is a spotted brown. It does not fre- 
quent the wood ; but is always found in the plains, 
among the fern. In time of danger, the male 
leaves the female on the nest, and flies or hovers 
about your path; endeavouring to lead you away 
from its young, by placing itself in such situations 
as to take your attention, and draw you from its 
nest. This bird also makes its nest at the roots 
of the thickest fern, which shelters it equally from 
heat and from cold. It might not be improperly 
designated the ground-lark, which it very much 
resembles. 
Kiwi — The most remarkable and curious bird 
in New Zealand. It is about the size of a three- 
months-old turkey ; and is covered with feathers, 
coarse, long, and slender, similar to those of the 
Emu of New Holland: its beak is precisely the 
