BIRD LIFE OBSERVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1936, Page 5

BIRD LIFE OBSERVED.

TARARUA RANGES REPORT. BUSH DAMAGED BY CYCLONE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Reporting oil investigations made in the Tararua Ranges on the prevalence of native birds, the ranger for the Wellington Acclimatisation Society stated that native pigeons had increased in numbers and were plentiful on both sides of the ranges. More kaka had been seen and heard this year than for some considerable time, he said. No parakeets had been seen, but it was reported that a few still frequent the eastern side of the ranges about Masterton. Rifleman wrens, whiteheads, grey warblers, pied tits and white eyes were frequently to be seen, and beautiful little fantails seemed to be everywhere. Tuis were very elusive. Sometimes they were not seen for long periods, and would then suddenly appear in dozens. Bell birds were seen and heard in most places, and were plentiful. Destruction of native bush by the cyclone in the North Island on February 2, in some places, the ranger reported, had been terrific. It was certain that no other visitation of that nature had happened for a great number of years. Looking down from very high country, the impression was given that high explosives had been showered down, as the damage was in patches. In some places where large trees had sufficient root-hold to resist being uprooted, they had been broken off, perhaps 30ft from the ground.