52 Bird-Song : and New Zealand Song Birds 
second, as in (4). Whilst as a rule the bird seems to have n 
idea of rounding off this rambling song, which may terminate 
abruptly at any point, it is occasionally terminated very neatly 
as shown. The rambling song at times drops into a series of 
nine notes, as in the close of (5), the nine notes being repeated 
over and over. There are variations in which the opening differs 
and the iteration is in sixes instead of the nines of (5). This 
song sounds more like a rambling soliloquy; it is more or less 
tentative, and is more softly sung than (5) or the ordinary 
song to be described, as if the bird were trying its voice, and 
might at any moment break into melody. It is again varied, 
as m (6), where the dropped note follows instead of opening 
t e repeated seiies, and the number is reduced from six to five, 
oil owed by a rest. The full phrase (6) was repeated several 
times, its close giving it a different character from the themes, 
of which it is nevertheless a variation. 
The bird is not usually seen readily, being shy and unob¬ 
trusive compared with birds such as the fantail, tom-tit, and 
ro m, but at times it appears to lose its timidity, and will then 
eed and sing close to the observer. Whilst singing, it will 
sometimes sit in one place, turning from left to right and from 
n 0 it to left, as if to an audience of wood elves, of Nuku-mai- 
