BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND IN ORDER OF SIZE 37 
slowly, occasionally does a series of hops, also runs. Differs 
on ground from Blackbird at a distance by short square tail 
and habit of walking instead of hopping. Passeriformes. 
8.5 in. Little Brown Owl (Athene noctua). Introduced. 
Head brown with white stripe. Upper parts greyish brown 
with white, tail barred with white. Under parts white 
broadly streaked with brown. Legs covered yellowish 
white hair-like feathers. Flight silent, occasionally very 
swift, rather uncertain. Haunts, woods and bush, old 
orchards. South-east of South Island only. Alternately 
ducks down and draws itself up. Differs from Morepork by 
smaller size, and under parts whitish instead of rufous brown. 
Only in South Island round Otago, not north of Christchurch, 
but spreading. / Coraciiformes.) wt Ld wkoryre 
8.5 in. Tasmanian Quail (Synoicus ypsilophorus). Intro- 
duced. Head buff. Bill blue. lLores and chin grey with 
brownish shade. Broad line of buff running down crown of 
head, each side of which feathers brown. Upper parts bold 
markings of brown and chestnut, light stripe down centre of 
each feather. Point of wing has band of blue. Primaries 
yellow with deep brown markings. Under parts buff, with 
dark brown arrow-shaped bars. Legs light yellow. Haunts, 
low swampy ground and pastures. One-third larger than 
Australian Swamp Quail and less common, more fluffy 
appearance being loose feathered. Plumage brighter and 
more distinctly marked. Upper parts more distinctly rufous. 
Galliformes. of 
9 in. Fairy or Little White.Tern (Sternula nereis). Fore- 
head white, nape and crown black. Bill yellow. Upper parts 
silvery white. Legs yellow. High undulating and wavering 
flight. Turns in air with great facility. Haunts, coasts, 
very active, dips in water after fish with upraised wings, 
a * 
Smallest of all Terns. Not common. ( Charadriiformes.) A«i¥re 
9 in. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelus). Introduced. 
Head olive brown. Upper parts olive brown. Under parts 
whitish, spotted with dark brown, axillaries and underwing 
coverts golden brown. Legs pale brown. Flight rapid. 
Cultivated districts extending to a certain degree into bush 
are its haunts. Moves quickly, hops, occasionally runs a few 
steps. Habit of hunting worms on lawn, distinguished by 
speckled breast. Passeriformes. 
9 in, Less& Golden or Spotted Plo¥er (Pluiialis or 
Charadrius dominicus). Head blackish brown, spotted 
yellowish white (winter plumage). Upper parts blackish 
brown, spotted yellow. Under parts yellowish white. Legs 
smoky brown. Flight powerful and well sustained. Flocks 
often go through regular and graceful evolutions. Haunt, 
