WAYS OF THE WILD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAYS OF THE WILD.

THE CAVALLi ISLANDS. BIRD AND PLANT LIFE. (By A. T. PYCIIOFT.) ; (Continued.) Last week I referred to this group of islands, wLicli are situated five miles off the coast between the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa. The largest island, Motu-Kawanui, is 87li acres in extent. The smaller island to the south of it is 80 acres in extent, and is known as Motu-Kawaiti. Close to the eastern end of the large island there are several small islets which, according to Native Land Court maps, are known as Panaki. I have been unable to ascertain if this name refers to all of these, islets or to a particular one. Nicholas, from whoso narrative 1 quoted last week, tells us that the natives called the large island Panak. The natives were probably referring to the outer islets. It will bo remembered that Nicholas made a voyage to New Zealand as a passenger in the brig Active in ISI4, on which occasion the Rev. Samuel Marsden made his first voyage to New Zealand and his first landing at New Zealand on MotuKawanui. One of the islets off the eastern end of the large island is remarkably symmetrical, resembling an inverted saucer. It is densely flax covered. Flax is the dominant plant on many of the islets, and Nicholas refers to it in 1814 as being exceedingly plentiful on the main island. The south and south-eastern sides o* the main island are bold and rugged. Off this coastline isolated rocks exist, some above water and others only discernible by the breakers. Signs of Occupation. The islands are now uninhabited, 'but natives come from the mainland on fishing excursions, and during the crayfish season they camp on the sheltered, side of one of the Panaki islets, where there is water. When w% visited the group in February, an anchorago was secured close to a small islet between tihe large island and the mainland. Unfortunately, a recent fire had destroyed many plants. Flax had been and still is the most plentiful plant. A few small trees of the whau or cork wood were seen. Tlie foliage of this tree is greedily eaten by cattle and horses, and is therefore becoming rare in a wild state on the mainland. It is, however, to be met with on most of the outlying islands off the east coast of the North Island. There was evidence on this islet that a small flat had been ploughed and cultivated by the natives. vim turnips and some i-> i:* were seen. Just above the Tienoli two kumara plants were for?no. growing Jj. the sand. Both plants ]<ossft"«3e& « itr.v small yellow tubers, which, wiimi j were very dry and sweet. T my of Islands natives referred to them, as original Maori kumarai. Out pr-nsri day kumaras are from fcioik int-r-xluvod by pakehas. Native Hibiscus Found. New Zealand possesses two species of this large and beautiful genua of plants. The hibiscus is abundant in the tropical regions of both hemispheres. Cheeseman states that only, a few species extend into the north and south temperate zones, and that both the New Zealand species have a wide distribution outside the Dominion. The species- found at fclje Cavallis is Hibiscus trionum, an annual herb from one to two feet ia height. The flowers are from one to one and a half inches in diameter, and 1 are pale yellow with a dark brown centre. It is a rare and local plant, generally found in sheltered places near the sea. It is also found in most tropical countries outside America. New Zealand's other hibiscus is a tall, stout, rigid perennial shrub, from three to six feet high. The flowers are large and handsome, from two to three inches in diameter and pale yellow with a dark centre. This plant is confined to the North Island, where it may occasionally be met with in sandy, places near the sea from the North Cape to Hokianga and the Bay of Islands. Cheeseman states that both this and the preceding species are being rapidly destroyed by cattle, fires, etc., and are now rare or almost extinct in localities where thoy were plentiful forty or fifty years ago. Bell Birds Seen. The Panaki islets were visited and a day was spent exploring them. It was pleasing to hear from tihe. launch the bell 'bird's notes, and upon landing on the central islet, numbers of these birds were seen feeding on niahoe berries. The dominant plant was the flax. The ground beneath the trees indicated that birds in considerable numbers had recently frequented the place. It was at first thought that the islet was the rendezvous of sea birds, but investigation showed no bvidenco of the presence of petrels or penguins, and it was evident that the trees were not the roosting place of shags. It was decided to spend the night at our anchorage near" the islet, and at dusk starlings were seen approaching in flocks of varying numbers. Their chattering was incessant as they alighted on the trees of our little grove and made themselves comfortable for the night. A (hope that we were to see some of our native birds In considerable numbers at this rendezvous was shattered when the starlings appeared. These birds frequent many such situations along our' coast, and the writer has seen many thousands frequenting one of the Noisies, those small islets beyond Rakino Island in the Hauraki Gulf. During the breeding seasou, these birds resort to all sorts of nesting situations throughout the land, the same site being repeatedly used annually. When the nesting season is over the birds may be seen wending their way in small numbers during the late afternoons to a common roosting site. Doubt About Quail. Bell birds were also seen in the remnants of bush on the large island. These birds are not wanderers and where there is sufficient food they will remain. As an instance, bell birds are found on the southern end of Motuihi Island, but I have not seen tliem on the adjacent main land or on Motutapu or Kangituto. When traversing the summit of one of the small islets quail were seen; fhey had been feeding on ink weed berries (Phytolacca). The birds resembled in colour the small quail found on the mainland. T. refer to the Australian swamp quail, so often referred to as the native quail. We were very anxious to identify the birds we saw, but they were too alert. However, at daybreak next morning the well-known cry of the Australian swamp quail was heard. This quail is found on the Chicken Islands, l"> miles from WJiangarei Heads and it is possible that it is also on the Three Kings Inlands and until definite proof is secured the question as to the. species of quail on the Three Kings must remain in doubt.