.56 NATURE STUDY NOTES 
T esents a comical appearance by holding its 
food in one of its feet in a way somewhat similar 
to that of the parrot. The writer has known large 
areas of young maize shoots to be devoured in one 
day by Pukekos, and they have been known to 
spoil a crop of half-grown field carrots by eating- 
the tops. 6 
THE SKYLARK 
SONG— 
Key G | m 
s l 1: : (rep.) |f.l.s:m:—|—: (rep.) 
tr _ 
d’:—-t | s :—I—; (rep.) 
and several .other groups of two, three or four 
notes, t e last of which is trilled and sustained for 
two or three “pulses,” each group being repeated 
once oi twice, no pause between successive groups, 
but a continuous song of sweet, melodious notes— 
more numerous than those of any other bird in 
New Zealand. It sings its song whilst ascending 
slowly and with fluttering wings towards the sky, 
and continues doing so whilst descending in similar 
manner, until about fifteen feet from the ground, 
when it makes a swoop downwards with closed 
wings, running along the ground for a few yards 
on alighting. 
DESCRIPTION— Head, whitish-brown. Upper 
parts, streaked with dark brown. Under parts, 
brownish-white, spotted and streaked with dark 
brown similar to the thrush. Legs, brownish 
yellow. 
