Ornithology in Canterbury, New Zealand American Blight Bird.

Ornithologists state here that this Bird belongs to the family Luscindæ and probably to the genus Zosteropes.² They also state that it is a small Migratory Bird. I think I am able to contradict this or nearly so for I am certain it has become a settler here like myself.³ It is called by the Maories “Kanohi-mowhiti”. It is with us winter and summer and very fond of ripe fruit when in season. In winter they fly in flocks from Apple tree to tree devouring the Aphis and cleaning the trees and all the carbuncles to all appearance but unfortunately the Blight finds its way again up the stem and branches from the bole of the trees during summer. Its little cranium is a very destructive one at any rate and I will give you the benifit of my experience of the onslaught, he and she, makes on my stone fruit. Soon as ripe cherries are fit to gather they make a perfect skeleton of the stones and leave them hanging; while these last in season they are always walking into them with their sharp pointed beaks or bills. Morello Cherries they finish up with. Their next favourite fruits are Green Gages and Apricots—these they make dreadful slaughter amongst to the tune of destroying bushels. They only chirp a little when in mischief. I can hear them where I now sit in my garden. They build their little tiny nests in very secluded nooks. I find a nest occasionally in a Peach tree which makes me think they must feed their young families—on the flesh of stone fruit.

Dear Sir, I thought I could not do better than send you this brief sketch of this little mischevious bird; feeling in my mind that it would be welcomly received. I have, of late, very often been reading of your Voyage in the Beagle.⁴

Dear Sir, receive this from your old Correspondent⁵ | William Swale | Avonside Botanic Garden | Ch. Church, Canterbury, N.Z. Feb 16

To | Ch. Darwin Esq.

Our Native plants, in this the Middle Island,⁶ stand their ground—and very firmly too. Take this hint, Dear Sir, and be cautious what you write forthwith about N.Z. vegetation in your “works”⁷ A stubborn fact goes a long way with you I know.