9 
O 
Fam. XENICIDJ1. 
Genus XENICUS. (Peculiar to New Zealand.) 
Xenicus longipes, Gmelin. Bush-Wren. “ Matuhitulii.” 
(Case IX. Nos. 17, 18, and 19 : adult male and female, 
and young.) 
This bird is confined to tlie Fagus -forests which clothe the 
sides of the sub-alpine ranges in the South Island. It is 
extremely rare in the North Island. 
Genus AC AN TII ID O S ITT A. (Peculiar to New Zealand.) 
Acanthidositta ciiloris, Sparrm. I till can an. liti- 
pounamu.” (Case X. Nos. 7 and 8 : adult and young.) 
This is the smallest of the New-Zealand birds. It is 
strictly arboreal in its habits, and is to be met with generally 
on the sides and summits of the wooded ranges, seldom or 
never in the low gullies. It forms a large pear-shaped nest, 
with the entrance on the side, usually placing it within the 
shelter of some cavity. The eggs arc from three to five in 
number, nearly spherical in form, and perfectly white. 
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