OF NEW ZEALAND. 
53 
liar plumage, has by others been denominated 
“the Parson Bird.” It is so restless in its dis- 
position, as to seem incapable of remaining in 
one situation, or unemployed, for a single mo- 
ment. There is not a note of any bird of the 
woods but what it exactly imitates ; and, when 
confined in a cage, it learns with great ease and 
correctness to speak long sentences. It imitates 
dogs, cats, turkeys, geese, and, in fact, every sound 
which is repeated a few times in its hearing. Its 
size is that of the thrush ; and its plumage, a beau- 
tiful glossy black, with a few very fine white hairy 
feathers scattered about the head and breast, 
a few stronger ones about the nostrils, and two 
small clusters of long white feathers hanging 
down from the neck upon the breast, resembling 
a pair of clerical bands. Its eye is penetrating, 
and its voice peculiarly mellow. Its general food 
is flies and small insects, which it is very expert 
in catching ; supplying itself in a very short time 
with great abundance. It also feeds upon the 
berries of various plants, and will not reject earth- 
worms. This bird seems to associate with every 
other warbler of the wood ; and, next to the 
ground-lark, is found in the greatest number of 
all the birds of New Zealand. It is delicious 
eating. It seems to be of a tender constitution, 
short-livedj and not able to bear the extremes 
of either heat or cold. 
Koukou — The bird so called is a small owl, a 
native of New Zealand ; and partakes of all the 
