The Kuaka (Limosa Baueri) is the bird spoken of as "curlew" and "grey snipe" by colonists. Large flocks are to be seen on our rivers, feeding on the mud-banks. When they are assembled in numbers, it is often possible to creep cautiously within range, and take a pot-shot at the crowd as it rises. A number may thus be bagged. The Maori used to net them by night. They are fairly good eating.
The Titi or "mutton-bird" (Puffinus brevicaudus) is a species of petrel common throughout the South Sea. They breed in burrows far inland, consorting in immense flocks. An island in Bass' Straits is resorted to by them annually, in such incredible numbers, that one estimate, arrived at by calculating the cubic space they occupied, gave a hundred and fifty millions as their probable numbers. On our coasts they often come in legions. The Maori catch them by stretching nets along the seashore at night. The birds, flying low, and returning after dark to their inland roosting-places, are thus trapped in great quantities. The Maori used to preserve them in calabashes, partly cooked, and potted in the oily fat that had exuded from them. They were thus made into a sort of "canned provisions," which might be stored up against times of dearth, or made an article of trade with inland tribes.
The Koreke (Coturnix N.Z.), the native quail, was once very plentiful, though more so on the grassy downs of the south than here. The natives used to net koreke in great quantities, much as they did the titi and kuaka. Now, the bird is scarce in our part of the country. Only rarely do we see a flock of half a dozen or so. But their place is amply filled by various imported species of game-birds, now getting very plentiful.
The Huia (Heteralocha Gouldi) must just be mentioned, as it is one of the most striking of New Zealand species. It is only found in the mountains of Wellington and Nelson provinces, consequently not in our districts. The huia is a large bird, of a uniform glossy black colour, shot with green. It has a long bent bill, and brilliant orange wattles.
The Koheperoa (Eudynamis Taitensis) is a long-tailed, brown-plumaged cuckoo, which comes here from the South Sea Islands in the month of October—our May. Its habits appear to be much the same as those of the English cuckoo. I only once saw one closely, but have heard them oftener.
The Popo or Popotea (Orthonyx albicilla) is a little brown bird with a white head, which sings like a chaffinch, and principally lives about rata trees. We see them not infrequently.
The Riroriro (Gerygone flaviventris) is a little warbler seen about in company with the tauhau.
The Toutou (Miro longipes) is a small grey and white bird, which some people have said is called the New Zealand robin. It is to be seen in the bush now and then, and seems tame, but we prefer to call another species our robin.
The Pihoi (Anthus N.Z.) is the so-called native "lark." It is a ground pipit, and may often be seen fluttering and chirping about a bush road.
The Korohea (Turnagra Hectori) is the native thrush, and a poor imitation it is of the English throstle. It is scarce. Sometimes its song may be listened to with pleasure.