64 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
House Sparrow.—August, September, October, November, 
December. Hawthorn hedges, ete.; may be found anywhere 
almost—houses and other buildings. Eggs 4—7 pale grey or 
greyish white, tinged green, or blue spotted brown and grey. 
Huia.—In cavity of tree lined with grass and twigs. 
Eggs greyish white, lightly spotted purple and brown. 
Kaka.—Harly in November and January; deep hollow of 
tree in decayed wood. Four white eggs. 
Kea.—In inaccessible heights, in crevices of rock or 
burrow; breeds very early. White egg, larger and rougher 
than Kaka’s, ovoid in shape and pitted all over. 
_ Kingfisher—End of November and December; bores hole 
in decayed tree denuded of bark near margin of wood, some- 
times in bank near seashore. Five white eggs. 
Knot.—Only winter visitor. 
Laughing Owl.—September, October; crevice in rocks. 
‘White eggs. 
Lesser Golden or Spotted Plover.—In depression on moss- 
eovered ground in Siberia; one recorded nest in N.Z. 
Linnet.—October, November, December; low bushes, 
“gometimes between 10—12 ft. up or on ground; 4—6 greyish 
white eggs, tinged blue or green, speckled and spotted red, 
purple, and reddish brown. 
Little Grey Kiwi.—Lays eggs on soil (never makes nest 
of grass) under trees and logs; same as North Island Kiwi, 
occasionally under dense tussock or cavity under stone; 
1—2 white eggs. 
Little White Tern. Breeds in colonies, lays on bare 
ground. Two eggs,-buff or cream, marked with spots of 
brown, under markings purplish grey. 
Long-tailed Cuckoo.—November, December; eggs laid in 
other birds’ nests (Grey Warbler’s, pied tit’s, and others). 
Eggs brownish olive. 
Long-tailed Shearwater.—Breeding place not definitely 
known. 
Mackerel Gull (Red-billed Gull).—November, December, 
January, on bare ground in river beds and shores of lakes, 
often in cliffs. Eggs yellowish grey, marked grey and dark 
brown. 
Mallard—On ground amongst rushes, brambles, long 
grass, tussocks. Near lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps; 
August, September, October, November, December. Eggs 
8—16, but generally 10—12, greenish white tinged buff. 
Marsh Rail.—Olive brown eggs. 
Merganser (Southern).—Not on mainland. 
