COURAGE OF TUIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 136, 6 December 1939, Page 17

COURAGE OF TUIS

"Many New Zealanders may- have been rather, startled by the report, that a tui killed a thrush in the garden ot a hotel in Auckland, but the news would not have surprised close, observers of the tui's habits," writes;.?. Wellington member of the. Forest; ana Bird Protection Society. "The tui is indeed a valiant New Zealander which fights for its rights. Some time ago, when starlings began poachirig_ on a preserve of tuis on a Wanganui, farm —a clump of flax with a wealth of honeyed flowers—the trespassers were fiercely attacked by tuis, and the intruders were soon glad to seek safety in quick flight. It is well known that when a hawk swoops into a forest tuis sound the alarm, and gladly join any special "force of small birds in in ef-" fort to scare away the killer. The strong fighting spirit of the tui lias enabled it to survive various misfortunes such as the cutting and ourning of native forests and the stupid introduction of stoats,' weasels,' cats, and other nuisances. As compensation for khe loss of much of its natural feeding places, it enjoys the nectar of many introduced trees and shrubs and also the sweetened porridge and syrup offered by friends, especially during the winter." .-•; : V