Parauri

The tutelary deity of the tui bird (parson-bird) and of all black birds. He is a son of Tāne-mahuta, the lord of the forests.

Parauri ("the black one") is also mentioned as a wife Tāne by whom he begat the koko (tui) and other forest birds.¹ These were fed on the parasites of the heads of Rehua and Tunuku, but they did not flourish. They were then fed on those of the heads of the younger folk, of Maire, and Miro, and Kahika, and Tutu, and Toro, and Mako (all names of trees the berries of which are eaten by birds).

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