60 . NATURE STUDY NOTES 
very quickly, usually with head lowered—less than 
two seconds duration. 
DESCRIPTION—Also called “Pied Fantail” to 
distinguish it from the “Black Fantail”—a rare New 
Zealand bird. Head, dull black, with white throat. 
Breast, upper part black; under parts deep yellow. 
Tail, olive brown and white (fan-shaped). 
FOOD—Insects, which it catches “on the wing,” 
being helped by long hairs on its “bill.” 
HABITS—Its flight, resulting from method of 
getting its food, consists of quick darts and all 
kinds of aerial evolutions. It frequently follows its 
prey into house or school. Very friendly bird, but 
is larely seen to alight on the ground. 
NEST Like the thrush, it has a very long period 
of nesting time—August to January inclusive—and 
muds its nest around a twig, frequently one that 
overhangs running water. It lays 4 or 5 eggs in it 
(See pp. 43, 46.) 
NOTES—Among the insects it catches for food 
are some that are orchard pests, including the 
codim moth”—the worst of all pests in the pip- 
fruit orchard. P P 
THE TOMTIT 
SONG—Somewhat similar to one of the songs of 
the “Grey Warbler,” but not so* loud. Every note 
except the first and last, is “trilled” or “warbled.” 
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DESCRIPTION—Maori name is “Miromiro,” 
also called the “Pied Tit,” and the “White-breasted 
