99 
The Starlings : The Saddle-back 
not more than three feet from the ground; it was roughly con¬ 
structed, principally of fibres and midribs of decayed leaves 
of the kiekie (Freycinetia Banksii ), with a few tufts of moss, 
leaves of rimu, lined with moss and down of tree-ferns 
( Cyathea ) ; it measured across from outside to outside of wall 
12’ in. 6 lines, cavity 3 in. diameter, depth of cavity 2 in. 77 
Habits .—Potts writes further (ib.) :—“The saddle-back, 
which a few years since was commonly met with in the more 
thickly wooded portions of Banks Peninsula, is now of rare 
occurrence there. The extensive area of growing timber at the 
Little Bush River (f Little River Bush) will probably be its 
last refuge in that part of the country, so rapidly is the 
Peninsula becoming disforested. Although we have met with, 
and have known of the nest of this striking looking bird in 
the more open parts of the forest, yet it seeks and loves the 
shady covert of the densest bush, where decaying tree and 
damp mosses conceal an insect food supply. It does not appear 
to be strong in the wing; we have never seen it attempt a 
lengthened flight, yet its movements are notably prompt, rapid, 
and decided. It usually announces its sudden approach by a 
shrill note unlike that of any other bird we know; it sounds 
like ‘cliee-per-per, chee-per-per / repeated several times in 
quick succession. No sooner is this call-note heard than the 
bird emerges from its leafy screen and bounds before the spec¬ 
tator as suddenly as harlequin in a pantomime. From these 
abrupt movements, or flying leaps, thus shrilly accompanied, 
it seems to perform a role of its own that appears almost startling 
amidst the umbrageous serenity of the forest. Let the eye follow 
its motions, that are so quickly changed, and watch the tieke 
perched for a few moments on the lichen-mottled bole of some 
fallen tree, a favourite position—its glossy black plumage is 
relieved from sameness by the quaint saddle-mark of deep 
ferruginous that crosses its back and wings, the red carbuncles 
add much to the sprightliness of its air; the observer will prob 
ably notice that its attitude is peculiar, or, in colonial phrase, 
‘ it had a queer set on it.’ The head and tail aie kept rathei 
elevated, the feathers of the tail take a gently sweeping curve, 
