138 Sydney Porter—Notes on New Zealand Birds


but I had little hopes of ever bringing it home. Yet though it

drooped at first it withstood the hardships of the long homeward

voyage of nearly seven weeks and is now one of my most treasured

feathered gems.


The Shining Cuckoo is about the size of a Sparrow, a shining

metallic bronze green above, white below heavily barred with

metallic bronze; the feet, which are black, are exceedingly small

and delicate.


The Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor )


This delightful miniature Penguin is abundant all around the

coast of the North Island. It is to be seen in the Auckland Harbour

swimming about amongst the sailing craft, only the head visible

out of the water. It looks at first sight like some tiny seal. When

on shore it makes its home in a hollow log, a cleft in the rocks, or

in one of the thick tussocks of coarse grass. It is only when

moulting or breeding that it ‘Stays for any length of time on the

land. It is then very extraordinary how far it will make its way

inland, often half a mile or so, usually up steep cliffs or over rocky

ground. On the Little Barrier we found them often right up in the

forest. Usually they only go far inland for the moulting and not

for breeding, which is carried out quite near the beach, more often

than not in a hollow log, two large, chalky white eggs being laid.

During the period of moulting the birds undergo a fast of from

two to three weeks, but prior to this they get very fat. The old

feathers do not drop out like those of an ordinary bird, but are

pushed out by the new growth, and these still adhere until the new

feather is almost full grown. Sometimes the birds find shelter in a

disused shed or outhouse and occasionally under a box. While

undergoing this unpleasant process the birds look very disreputable

objects, but as soon as this is completed they emerge resplendent in a

garb of the most beautiful shining grey blue and silvery white. The

texture of the feathers is singularly soft and silky and pleasant to

the touch. The pale coloured iris and pupil give them a very

peculiar look. In spite of their tiny size they are not wanting in

courage, and if taken out of their hols or burrow will defend them-



