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.
The Kokako (_Glaucopis Wilsoni_) is a crow, and is not uncommon in the Kaipara. It has blue wattles on the beak. Its note is peculiar, being sometimes a low, hollow boom, and at others a shrill and somewhat bell-like tone.
The Putoto (_Ortygometra Tabuensis_) is a crake, often confounded by settlers with the patatai. It is a smaller bird altogether, having partridge tints on the back, and a grey breast. It chiefly inhabits raupo swamps.
The Torea, or oyster-catcher (_Haematopus longirostris_) is one of the sea-coast birds, and is often to be seen about our tidal rivers. It is a black bird.
The Kotuku, or crane (_Ardea syrmatophora_), must just be mentioned, though none of us ever saw one. But the Maori have a proverb—"as rare as the kotuku."
There are various species of duck indigenous to the country, and seen in great flocks on the rivers. Some of them have really fine plumage, and others are dull in colour. We shoot and eat them all indiscriminately, and consider them very good. The species we have identified in the Kaipara and Hokianga are—the Putangi, or "paradise-duck" (_Casarca variegata_); the grey duck, or Parera (_Anas superciliosa_); the brown duck, an allied species or variety of the last; the Papanga, or "teal," or "widgeon" (_Fuligula N.Z._), and some other varieties that may be imported birds, or crosses, or other native species. Besides these are numerous species of seabirds: gulls, albatross, tern, skua, penguin, etc. We never eat them, of course, though the Maori do, as they occasionally shoot some for the sake of their feathers.
The Tauhau (_Zosterops lateralis_) is a beautiful little green bird, much like a wren. It has a gold or silvery ring round the eye. It is much seen about gardens and clearings, and settlers know it as the "blight-bird." It frequents second-growth ti-tree, where its little mossy nest and four or five pale blue eggs may often be found. This bird is said to have only recently come to the country, from no one knows where. It is quite at home now, and we see its nest oftener than that of any other species.