LISTS OF BIRDS’ NESTS AND THEIR LOCALITY 61 
Black-backed Gull (Southern).—November, December; 
nest made of fragments of drift laid on ground above high- 
water mark, rocks, cliffs, lakes’ edges, ete., seashores and 
sandy spots (nest of grass), also mountains 3000 to 5000 ft. 
up. Eggs yellowish grey, grey and brown blotches. 
Black-bellied Storm Petrel— Under rocks and in crevices. 
Eggs white, with pink specks. 
Black-billed Gull.—South Island river beds. Eggs grey 
or buffish, dark brown markings. 
Blackbird.—_September, October, November, December. 
Bushes, hedges, ledges of rock, trunks of trees, etc.; 4—6 
dull bluish green eggs, spotted reddy brown, and grey. 
Black Fantail—August, September, October and January, 
on slender bough, as Pied Fantail. White eggs, spotted 
brownish grey at large end. 
Black-fronted Tern.—On bare ground in river beds in 
South Island. Yellowish grey eggs, dotted brown and grey. 
Black Oyster-catcher—Same as Pied Oyster-catcher, on 
sandy spit. 
Black Petrel.—Holes on top of mountains, November to 
July, 1—2 ft. in depth: Single white egg. 
Black Shag.—In vicinity of sea coasts just above surface 
of water in swampy ground, rivers, lakes, trees, ete. Nest of 
twigs and grass; 3—4 eggs, bluish white. 
Black Stilt—September. Slight depression in sandy spit, 
never far from water, or slight nest of grass; 3—4 yellowish 
brown eggs, dotted blackish brown. 
Black Swan.—Large bulky structure of sticks and reeds, 
etc., built in swamps, sometimes floating; October to January; 
46 greenish white or greyish green eggs. 
Black Teal (N.Z. Scaup).—Breeds up till March; nests 
of grass in swampy vegetation just above water—usually in 
Phormium (flax) clumps; 5 dirty white eggs. 
Black Woodhen.—January, by seashore in burrows, under 
roots, and in hollow trees; 2—3 rufous eggs. 
Blue Duck.—End of August to November. Usually nests 
in holes in bank or tussock; 7—9 pale cream coloured eggs. 
Blue Heron.—Usually in tree, but when not available, 
amongst recesses of rocks or tree trunks. Greenish blue eggs. 
Little Blue Penguin.—Third week in September onwards, 
in shallow burrow 2 to 4 ft. deep; caves also. Two white 
eggs, one bigger than the other. 
Blue Wattle Crow.—Said to nest in mass of Kareao vine, 
October, about 30 ft. up (two broods); nest of dried ferns 
and moss. Pale grey eggs dotted purple grey. 
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