Page:Transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute (IA transactionsproc41newz).pdf/19

 The native fantails or fly-catchers are, by their abundance and airy and graceful evolutions on the winy when in pursuit of their tiny prey, perhaps the best-known birds at the present time in the New Zealand avifauna. By reason of there being few ornithological observers in the early days of settlement, and the rapid extinction of species proceeding meanwhile, the latter have nearly all vanished without science knowing anything-or, at least. very little of their nesting habits, of the respective periods of time occupied during their incubation. Although the late Sir Walter Buller has given a good general history, with very perfect delineations of each species, only in three cases has he referred to their approximate time periods of incubation. His great industry during his early life in compiling general and accurate histories of all species coming under his observation occupied his full time, and frequently prevented him from observing and noting their several and perfect habits and full periods of hatching. It may therefore be of interest to members of our Society to have complete and accurate notes on the nesting habits of the fantail, from the hour of lacing the first twig on to-tbe forked site of the next to that of the four young fledglings reared therein leaving it for the first time.

For many years two pairs of these charming little birds have built their nests in Mr. 1. Park's garden at * The Wattles," Palmerston North. On hearing of this a year ago, and being much interested, I requested Wr. Douglas Park to observe and make absolutely accurate notes of the brood or broods of young fautails. With kindly and commendable patience and perseverance Jr. Park, jun, daily closely observed and accurately noted all phases of life of the parent birds which engaged nesting.

On the oth August. 1907. a pair began to construct a nest in the fork of a climbing rose trained on the outside of a summer-house in the shade of Dative trees. After working earnestly and many hours per day for for days the birds apparently became displeased with their work and discontinued operations. Inside the roof of the suminer-house some stems of clematis have grown down through the air-passages and formed a small com- pact network of growth. On one of these stems the fantails chose a site for

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