ABOUNDING IN RATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 305, 27 December 1927, Page 5

ABOUNDING IN RATS.

HEN ISLAND RE-VISITED.

A NORTHERN SANTUART.

BIRD LIFE MAY SUFFER

Having just returned from a fortnight's sojourn on Hen Island, one of the Hen and Chickens group, Mr. A. T. Pycroft, of Auckland, related some facts concerning the flora and fauna of that island this morning, when interviewed by a "Star" representative.

Hen Island lies 15 miles south-east of the Whangarei Heads. The Chickens are four miles to the north. The Chickens were sold to the Government many years ago, and the Hen was purchased by the late Mr. Outhwaite in the early days of the colony, remaining in the possession of the family till the death of the last surviving child, Miss Outhwaite, when it passed to the Government as a sanctuary. The Hen comprises 1175 acres, and the highest point is 1383 feet above sea level.

Twenty-four years ago Mr. Pycroft visited the island. He is consequently able to make some very interesting comparisons. "There is no need to fear for the future of the flora from fires, which do not apparently occur, but the same cannot be said of the bird life. Two factors may interfere with some of the birds, in so far as their food is concerned. When I was previously on the island, I saw no trace of rats, and there were no starlings. This time, however, I saw rats, which I hoped were of the species kiore Maori, or Maori rat, but they proved to be the Norwegian or common rat."

Mr. Pycroft added that the rats had probably arrived at the island in old bedding discarded at sea by passenger steamers.

Saddle-backs not Diminishing.

All food belonging to Mr. Pycroft's party had to be put in a secure place, as the rats were voracious. It is feared that the vermin will interfere with, or reduce the number of young of certain species of birds. Unfortunately, the saddle-back—a New Zealand bird and member of the starling family—builds its nests in hollow trees, often a few fefet from the ground and easily accessible to rats.

The fact that the European starling is now plentiful on the island, and will probably increase, may interfere with the food supplies of the saddle-back. Both birds live on identical food—grubs, maggots, and earth worms. Saddlebacks were seen on the trees on the shore and on all parts of the island. They were not perturbed at the presence of man and generally went on feeding when the party approached. The male bird frequently uttered an alarm note, which was returned by other male birds in the vicinity. All the birds seen had the saddle mark distinctly defined across the back. The mark is of a reddish-chesnut colour, and resembles in shape a saddle. The rest of the bird's plumage is intense shining black. On either side of the bill there are long slender carbuncles, or wattles. It has for many years been open to doubt as to whether another bird, the jack-bird, is a separate species or an [immature saddle-back. All .birds seen on Hen Island had a distinct saddle markng although the • wattles were sometimes not developed. It is difficult to establish the number of saddle-backs on the island. There' are probably several hundreds. From notes made when Mr. Pycroft was on the island 24 years ago, it would appear that the birds are not diminishing. Although Mr. Pycroft is not in favour of moving these birds indiscriminately, he thinks it might be well if some were to be placed on the Chickens.

No European bees were seen on the Hen Island, but there is a small black bee—not a hive bee—which feeds on the pohutukawa. Some have been observed feeding on the nectar from flax. They may, in course of time, interfere with the honey-eaters' food supplies. New Zealand honey-eating birds are the bell bird, tui, and a stitch bird. There are no pigs on. the island.