BIRD LIFE IN GULF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185, 6 August 1932, Page 16

BIRD LIFE IN GULF.

ISLAND NESTING HAUNTS. YACHT SQUADRON LECTURE. Yachtsmen who visit the outlying islands of the Hauraki Gulf have many opportunities of viewing m their native haunts the numerous colonies of sea birds. A very interesting talk on sea birds, illustrated by lantern slides, was given to members of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron last evening. Mr. R. A. Falla described the varieties and habits of the birds which Mr. A. L. Breckon illustrated with a series of views. Mr. Breckon also showed a number of yachting studies, including all the well-known resorts 011 the coast from the Bay of Plenty to Whangaroa. These were supplemented with views of some old Auckland yachts, and scows and trading vessels competing in the regattas of 20 to 25 years ago. Mr. Falla, who was welcomed by the commodore, Mr. N. L. Macky, said there were 210 species of birds native to New Zealand, of which 106 were sea birds. The best known was the black-backed gull, or karoro. They bred in the rocky slopes of Rangitoto, where crude nests were made. It was estimated that 2000 pairs reared their young annually on this island alone. The red-billed, or mackerel gull, was also well known. They nested in more inacessible places, such as Mokohinau, Poor Knights, and the Alderman Islands. They were great scavengers, and kept our beaches clean. Views of the nesting places were followed by a description of the graceful sea swallow, or white-fronted tern, better known to yachtsmen as the kahawai bird. That they are not particular in the choice of their nesting sites was indicated by views showing them sitting 011 coal hulks, sandbanks and exposed rocks in the gulf. The gannet was also described, and views were shown of its rookeries on Cape Kidnappers, White Island, the Aldermane and Gannet Rock, at the lower end of Waiheke. In succession, views were shown, and the habits described, of the common and spotted shag, blue herons and penguins. The talk concluded with an account of a visit to the bird sanctuary at the Little Barrier, with views of tui.s, bell birds, stitch birds, pigeons and other bush birds which abound there.