ARRIVAL OF MARTINS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8478, 9 May 1893, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF MARTINS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr M. Murphy, Secretory of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Aeaooiatioa, writes aa follows :—. " Your readers will be more than pleased to know that a goodly number of martlne, tho interesting little ineeot-eating birds, have arrived in Canterbury. I had oooaeion to go to Now Brighton by the 5.16 tram on Saturday afternoon last. On passing the sheet of water caused by the removal of earth to form the esplanade, I was greatly astonished, and as greatly delighted, to observe a flook of martins, numbering quite a dozen, flitting backwards and forwards (in their old familiar manner) over the surface of this sheet of water. X have made enquiries to-day (Monday), from Mr Curtie, a resident of New Brighton, who informs mc that quito a number of these birds have taken up their abode, at least for the present, about the locality indicated, and on the lowet waters of the Avon. Mr Curtie states that the birds were first noticed aomo few weeks ago, soon after tho gale of wind which ooourred at that time, which points to tho the conclusion that the birds may have been on the wing migrating whea they got caught and were thus carried to our »hor«a. In connection with these birds, it will be remembered that tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association marie enquiries as to whether or not tho Australian swallow, could be brought from Australia. They wore advised that owing to the peculiar habits of these birds—one of which ia that they take their food (insects) while on the wing—it would be extremely difficult to do so. It will also be remembered that a few of these birds wore seen many ye&ra ago in New Zealand, but some of them got shot by a bird collector, and the remaining ones have not been teen since. This suggests to my mind the, necessity for immediate steps being taken to protect the newcomera. ,, -