28 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
List of Principal Birds of N.Z. in order 
of size, irrespective of order. 
3 in. Rifleman or Bushwren (Acanthisitta chloris). Head 
white over eye. Bill dark brown. Upper parts dull green, 
yellow on rump. F. olive green, margined brown, back and 
rump olive yellow. Underparts white. (F. buffy white); 
sides washed with yellow. Legs pale brown. Flight very 
feeble, only from tree to tree. Haunts wooded ranges ex- 
tending to the bush level on the mountains, never leaving 
the forests. Active and sprightly movements; incessantly on 
the move. Ascends trees spirally. Distinguished by small 
size, feeble chirp of ‘‘Zee-zee,’’ accompanied by quivering’ 
of wings. Found South Island and parts of North Island. 
Upturned bill and smalier size distinguishes it from Green 
Wren. Passeriformes. 
3.70 in. Rock Wren (Xenicus gilviventris). M. sides of 
_head dark brown streaked white. Upper parts M. dull olive 
brown, greyish gloss. Back, wings, and rump yellowish 
green. Wing feathers brown. F. upper parts dull yellowish 
brown. Under parts M. brown, sides lemon yellow. 
F. tawny, stained lemon yellow. Legs dull brown. 
Flight, fluttering near ground. Can fly quite strongly, 
as for example across gullies 100 ft. Moves restlessly when 
disturbed. Hops and flies from rock to rock, searching all 
crevices, etc. When facing observer has a curious habit of 
bobbing up and down like Banded Dottrel. Haunts, high on 
mountain side above bush-line, only in South Island. Dis- 
tinguished by never being below bush-line; breast tawny or 
browny, Hovey. grey. Passeriformes. 
4 in. Green Wren (Xenicus longipes). M. sides of head 
brown, streaked white over ears. F. brown, streaked white. 
Upper parts M. dark green tinged yellow. F. umber brown 
tinged yellowish green. Under parts M. glossy grey going 
greyish white at throat; F. brown. Legs, pale brown. 
Flight sprightly. Haunts sub-alpine ranges, dense bush, 
beech forests. Runs along branches ceaselessly searching 
insects. Found in North and South Islands. Differs from 
Rock Wren in colouring, breast being greyish almost blue, 
never tawny. Larger than Rifleman, and no upturned bill. 
Passeriformes. eudgacs 
4.5 in. Grey Warbler (Maorigerygone igata). Trides red, 
bill dark brown, throat grey. Upper parts brownish grey 
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