BOLD "BARKERS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

BOLD "BARKERS "

Dear Anne Shirley, When the water went do«*n to about half an inch deep, a number of " barkers " made their home irt our swamp. I don't think that " barkers " are their real names, but, unfortunately, I don't know the other one. They are generally called " barkers " because when they fly overhead in groups of four or five, they all cry out together, and imitate a dog ' barking in the distance.

They are not very big birds, and are mostly white with odd touches of black, with long orange bills, which taper to a point and long, bony legs, similar to the stork's legs, also orange in colour. They are most interesting to watch especially while in flight. Their legs, which act just like the steering wheel of a car, poke straight out behind them when they are flying. Why? Well, because when they want to turn to the left, they drop the left leg, and, of course, the same performance is gone through when they turn to the right. The only difference is that the right leg is used. They make a habit of self defence, for when a hawk ventures near, three

or four of them chase the intruder, barking as they go. I have watched them several times and they have alwavs been fortunate enough to Succeed. One evening; I went to search for a nest, but I looked all in vain. They started barking around me as much as to say I had no right to be there. Well, perhaps I hadn't, but that just shows how bold they are. —With love from your loving circler, Joy Fisher (14), Ohinewad.