KAPITI ISLAND BIRDS

'A -VISIT OF INSPECTION. . "I made a visit of inspection to Kapiti Island in the middle of May, and j I glad to be able to report that I ' saw ho evidence of the reported decrease in the number of native birds," says Mr. E. Phillips Turner in his report of a visit of inspection to the sanctuary. "On the contrary, I found bellbirds, tuisy and whiteheads to be very numerous, and, though the weather was dull and unfavourable, I saw a .fair number of pigeons, kakas, tomtits, robins, and kingfishers; fantails, paraand wrens were seen ', in less quantity. 'The weka is more numerous there than in any other place. I know of. Along the coast I saw one or two blue herons and numerous cormorants. At night moreporks can be heard. I saw several of the large, kind of hawk. It might perhaps be advisable to have the hawks shot,-as they live almost entirely on other birds, and, .moreover;' they are not likely to bo killed-out on the mainland. The kakapos and kiwis liberated about a year ago have [ not since been seen. I think it highly desirable that a few pairs of the North and South Island crows, South Island robins and canaries, pukekos, and landrail- should be placed on the island before they become extinct. The Australian opossum has become.Very plentiful on the island.' As they will compete with the birds for the available foodsupply, I think they should be trapped and their skins' sold. There-is a marked decrease in the number of goats since my inspection in ,1912. 1 think those left should bo soon exterminated, employing if necessary additional temporary help. There are still a few cats, but, as poisoned fish is being laid, they should soon bo killed out." ■