Maori name for the PiedFantail ( Rhipidura flabellifera, Gray).
1835. W. Yate, `Account of New Zealand,' p. 57:
«Piwakawaka, or tirakaraka. This restless little bird iscontinually on the wing, or hopping from twig to twig.»
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 403:
«Piwakawaka, tirakaraka, the fantailed fly-catcher, a pretty,restless, lively bird; very sociable, and fond of displayingits beautiful little fan-tail. It has a head like thebullfinch, with one black-and-white streak under the neckcoming to a point in the centre of the throat. Wings verysharp and pointed. It is very quick and expert in catchingflies, and is a great favourite, as it usually follows thesteps of man. It was sacred to Maui.»
1885. A. Reischek, `Transactions of the New ZealandInstitute,' vol. xviii. art. xviii. p. 102:
«Rhipidura – – fantail (Piwakawaka). Every one admires the twospecies of these fly-catchers, and their graceful evolutionsin catching their prey.»
1890. C. Colenso, `Transactions of the New Zealand Institute:Bush Notes,' vol. xxiii. art. lvii. p. 482:
«During this extended visit of mine to the woods, I havenoticed the piwakawaka, or fly-catcher ( Rhipiduraflabellifera). This interesting little flycatcher, withits monotonous short cry, always seems to prefer making theacquaintance of man in the forest solitudes.»
1895. W. S.Roberts, `Southland in 1856,' p. 53:
«The pied fantail, Piwakawaka (Rhipidura flabellifera) is thebest flycatcher New Zealand possesses, but it will not live inconfinement. It is always flitting about with broadly expandedtail in pursuit of flies. It frequently enters a house andsoon clears a room of flies, but if shut in all night it fretsitself to death before morning.»