25 
IV. 
PIED STILT. 
Tue Pied Stilt nests in sparse vegetation on the 
edges of lagoons, tarns, and lakes; river-beds, 
too, are favourite breeding grounds. From the 
former type of site the species has of late not 
infrequently been driven by settlement; the 
latter is still available, though exposed to dangers 
not known in former times. Nowadays, with the 
destruction of ancient vegetation and the hard- 
ening of ground, the surface of New Zealand 
has changed from sponge to slate ; comparatively 
small precipitations produce spates; river-beds 
are swept by sudden heavier floods. To these 
disabilities of modern date the Pied Stilt opposes 
a prolific ovary, a breeding season spread over 
several months of the year, and a world-wide 
experience of weather conditions. Thus colonies 
are easily induced to alter their breeding grounds, 
and many instances are known to me of Stilt 
leaving a locality in a body, after disaster to early 
