A. Morrison—The Genus Sporophila 43



descends below its usual habitat no matter how severe the weather

conditions.


I was told that the bird was often seen examining and pulling to

pieces the flowers of the mountain ranunculus, no doubt in search

of insects.


Mountain climbers tell me that it is a most attractive creature

and looked on with favour by all those who enter its domain. The

only danger to this species is from wild cats, which I have seen at a

height of from 4,000 to 5,000 feet: they would make short work of

these interesting birds should they reach the districts where they live.

Being of feeble flight and of a very confiding nature, it would stand

no chance whatever. Already one interesting species of New Zealand

Wren has been entirely exterminated by cats, the Stephen Island

Wren (Traversia lyalli).


(To be continued )



THE GENUS SPOROPHILA


By A. Morrison


(Continued from, 'page 11)


Hick’s Seed-eater (S. aurita)


Male .—Upper surface, mantle, wings, upper tail coverts, tail,

lores, sides of face, ear coverts, cheeks, throat and upper breast, glossy

black with a greenish sheen ; a half-moon shaped patch on sides of

neck and an irregular band across the rump, white ; a double white

patch on base of primaries and secondaries, only the former being

visible on the closed wing ; breast and abdomen, white ; sides of

body and flanks, black tipped with white ; thighs, black, internally

white ; under tail coverts, white ; bill and feet, black.


Out of the breeding season the general colour is brown, with which

colour all the feathers are tipped. These tips are gradually shed and

the bird assumes its full plumage.


Juvenile Male .—I can find no description.


Female. —Above, olive brown ; cheeks and under parts pale olive

buff, lighter on the abdomen, which is yellowish white ; sides of body



