34 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
Swamp Rail by white markings and brownish colouring. 
Very retiring, seldom seen. Appears ,, instantaneously, 
apparently from nowhere. (Gruiformes. Jie oie 
7.5 in. Black-bellied Storm Petrel (Fregetta tropica). 
Head sooty black. Throat sometimes whitish. Upper parts 
black. Tail coverts white. Lower parts black except for 
flanks and under the wings white. Legs long and black. 
Flight powerful close to the surface of the water, wings 
extended and hanging down. Head usually bent downwards. 
Haunts, open sea. Shows extreme alertness in all its move- 
ments. Flutters over sea like a butterfly, patting the water 
more than other Petrels. Known by broad mark down 
eentre of abdomen, contrasting with white on flanks when 
bird is in flight. Not very common. Procellariiformes. 
7.25 in. South Island Robin (Miro australis). Head dark 
sooty grey. Small spot of yellowish white on upper man- 
dible. Under parts dark sooty grey, oblique bar of white 
on inner face of wings. M. almost black and very shiny. 
F. and young greyish brown. Under parts yellowish white, 
~lemon on lower breast. Legs dark brown. Flits from bush 
to bush. Haunts, the bush. Very inquisitive, active and 
sprightly. Predilection for ground and low perches. 
Differs from North Island Robin in size, being bigger, but 
feebler vocalist. No song but dropping whistling note. 
Passeriformes. 4) +). ado 
7.25 in. Swamp Rail or Crake (Porzaioidea plumbea). 
Head slaty blue grey, shaded dull brown on crown. Irides 
bright red. Upper parts chocolate brown. Under parts dark 
greyish blue. Young have the throat and breast white. 
Legs pale red. Seldom takes wing, then only short distance. 
Inhabits swampy localities, dense beds of raupo. Runs with 
rapidity, swims very gracefully. Differs from Swamp Hen, 
being smaller. From Marsh Rail by absence of white of 
general plumage.,on under tail coverts. Purring note. 
(Gruiformes.) “hope 
7.75 in. Bellbird (Anthornis melanura). Head feathers 
have a deep purple gloss. Irides cherry red. Bill black. 
Upper parts yellowish olive. Wings and tail black. F. 
smaller than M. and brownish olive. Wings brown like 
young. Under parts yellowish olive. Legs lead grey. 
Flight undulating and very rapid. When mating they fly 
one above the other at full speed each duplicating the other 
bird’s movements. Haunt, bush country, gardens, and 
orchards in South Island. Alternately open and shut wings 
and tail when flying, occasionally mounting in air to play. 
Famous liquid bell-like notes, excellent mimics. M. and F. 
songs are different, usually only F. heard (Andersen). 
Passeriformes. 
