38 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
riverbeds. Run and walk. Very-rare (migratory). Said 
to be regular visitor. « Charadriiformes. 
: 9 in. M (Acridotheres tristis). Introduced. Head 
crested, eSpace behind eye, bill rather short. Crest 
very short and inconspicuous. Upper parts snuff brown, 
black on neck, breast, and back. Under parts light snuff 
brown. Legs dull yellow. Flight from branch to branch. 
Lives round towns. North of Palmerston North. Middle of 
North Island. Hops, very active and inquisitive. Con- 
spicuous white band on wings when flying. Harsh note. 
Passeriformes. 
9 in. Yellow-fronted Parakeet (Cyanorhamphus auriceps). 
Upper forehead crimson and crown golden yellow. Irides 
pale cherry red, dark crimson over eye. Upper parts grass 
green, crimson spot on side of rump. Indigo blue on 
primaries. Under parts pale green, suffused with yellow. 
Legs pale brown. Flight rapid and straight. Haunts, open 
fields when dock plant is in seed. Active and restless, 
clambers from bough to bough. Less gregarious than Red- 
fronted Parakeet. Found North Island also South Island., 
Distinguished by yellow and small size. {Psittaci (sub-order). | 
9 in. Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). Head black and 
white. Under parts (summer) tortoiseshell colouring on 
rump, bar of white on wing. (Winter) duller and darker. 
Under parts white, breast black and white. Legs orange 
red. Flight rapid generally near ground. Haunts, rocky 
coast. Runs fast, turns pebbles and seaweed over with bill, 
sometimes using the breast for large stones. Very rare. 
Habit of turning over pebbles, ete., distinguishes it from 
other birds, hence name. Conspicuous short red legs. 
Charadriiformes. s 
9.75 Kingfisher (Saurepatis or Halcyon sanctus). Lores 
bright tawny. Bull black, dash of dark blue over eye. Band 
of black round neck. Upper parts dark sea green, olive 
tinge, surface of wing ultramarine, also tail. Young brown 
and white feathers on back of neck. Under parts buffy 
white to delicate fawn. Some brown markings on breast. 
Legs dark brown. Darting flight short and rapid. Haunts, 
seashore, open country, forest clearings, banks of streams, 
homesteads. Seldom seen on ground. Distinguished by 
darting flight, habit of skimming water, downward darts 
for fish. Sits motionless awaiting prey. Remarkably keen 
eyesight. Coraciiformes. 
_ 10 in. Blackbird (Turdus merula). Introduced. Head 
black. M. bill orange. F. bill brown. Upper parts black. 
F, umber brown. Under parts black. ¥F. brown. Legs 
black. Flight very unsteady for short distance, if prolonged 
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