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the desert stillness of the broad forest, and the invisibility 
of the excessively small singer. On no consideration 
could one kill the little songster when discovered. In 
Lima it is spoken of as one of the most remarkable 
inhabitants of the Eastern forests; and the oldest 
authorities on these regions make mention of it with 
admiration.” 
The woods and plains of Australasia are not entirely 
destitute of sweet sounds, for among the numerous noisy 
screamers of these regions a few excellent songsters are 
to be found; the Poe or Tui (Prosthemadera circinata), 
said to inhabit New Zealand, is one of these. Eochelas 
gives the following account of this bird :— 
4 4 Among the singing birds of the Island there was one 
which distinguished itself from all others, as much by the 
harmony as the charm of its soft song, which really 
appeared to us not to be compared with that of any other 
bird. It has been brought several times to Port Jackson, 
where it excited great admiration: the settlers have 
named it the 4 Organ-bird.’ I believe it to be exclusively 
an inhabitant of New Zealand, a charming denizen of the 
romantic desert tracts of that Island. It is difficult to say 
too much of this wonderful bird, when it is asserted that 
no songster of our European woods can compete with it. 
I consider the song of the Nightingale, much as I love it, 
to be far surpassed by the strains of this bird, and must 
confess never in my life to have listened to a bird so rich 
and enchanting in its tones.” 
Upon the capabilities of Australia, in this respect, I 
need not enter into details: it is sufficient that I assure 
my readers that we have heard much in favour of her 
songsters; but at the same time I must remark that in 
this singular quarter of the globe there are some which, 
