BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND IN ORDER OF SIZE 39 
rapid and easy. Tail raised on alighting. Haunts, well cul- 
tivated districts and extending far into the untouched 
forests. Hops, occasionally runs a few steps, stops at in- 
tervals, and flirts long shaped tail. Distinguished from 
Song Thrush by longer tail and elevation of tail on alighting. 
AD Gane 
head greyish brown. Under parts black feathers spotted 
with chestnut and edged with white. Winter greyish brown. 
Underparts, summer breast chestnut; winter white with 
greyish bars on under tail coverts. Legs black. Flight rapid, 
straightforward and easy. Flocks perform occasional grace- 
ful evolutions before alighting. When alarmed will all rise 
simultaneously and scurry along just above the sand. Haunts, 
estuaries and wide mud flats on coasts. Runs and walks, 
members of flocks keep well together, heads all turned in one 
direction. Often stand motionless for hours. Migratory 
November to April. Distinguished from Turnstone by 
absence of dark markings on throat and upper breast. Not 
very common. Very rare in New Zealand. Charadriiformes. 
10 in. Dove Petrel or Whale Bird (Prion spp). “Head 
blue grey. Spot in front of eye. Upper parts blue grey, 
black crescent band on back. Under parts pure white. Legs 
light blue tinged with green. Very active on wing, hover 
over the water like butterflies. Cut through the air with 
the swiftness of a meteor. Haunt, oceans. Hover over 
water, rarely resting on it, when rising run with wings out- 
stretched. Distinguished by swallow and snipe-like flight. 
Pale blue grey upper parts streaked in zig-zag fashion with 
brown. Cry of ‘‘Zp zp.’’ Procellariiformes. 
10 in. Saddleback (Creadion carunculatus). Head black, 
bright yellow to vermilion wattles. F. reduced wattles. 
Upper parts glossy black. Back and wing coverts chestnut. 
F. smaller. Young brownish. Under parts glossy blackish 
brown. Legs black. Flight rapid but very laboured. Con- 
fined to short distances. Haunts, wooded ranges, still wide- 
spread but extremely local. Active movements, seldom still, 
very noisy. Climbs trees spirally in hops. Distinguished by 
sharply defined chestnut back and wing coverts, suggesting 
saddle flaps. Habit of consorting with Yellowheads in South 
Island, and Whiteheads in North Island. Passeriformes. 
10 in. Californian aoe (Callipepla californica). Intro- 
duced. Head grey, crest black, line of white from eye round 
chin. Upper parts brownish grey mottled. Lower parts grey. 
Legs dull grey. Flight very swift with loud whirr on rising, 
usually near ground, glides with wings spread before alighting. 
