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A survey of the distribution of South Island fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata punctata) in relation to vegetation types was made in part of the Kongahu Swamp, Karamea district, West Nelson. The data show that fernbirds have a marked preference for areas with low, dense ground vegetation and emergent shrubbery, and are infrequently seen in cut-over kahikatea forest bordering on swampland, or in level pakihi vegetation lacking shrubs. Observations on fernbird habitat at other places are compared with those for Kongahu Swamp.