A WHITE CRANE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 3

A WHITE CRANE.

SEEN IN SOUTHLAND. A party of fishermen on the Oreti river reported recently that they had Been a white crane. The bird was observed at a distance of about sixty yards-with the aid of field glasses, and there could be no doubt as to the identity. It was engaged in fishing in the river, but on being disturbed made off at a great speed. Since then the bird has been observed by the employees of a flaxmill in the district, indicating that this rare newcomer has probably taken up its abode there (says the "Southland Times"). About two years ago a white crane was seen near the same place, but unfortunately some irresponsible vandal saw fit to destroy one of the rarest and most interesting of New Zealand's birds. It was even impossible to secure the skin for a museum. Local fishermen fear that as it it by no means difficult to approach within easy range of the bird, it may share the same fate as the last. The white crane, or as it is frequently and erroneously called,, the white heron, is believed by naturalists to migrate from Japan and China in company with the godwit,' or snipe, as it is here named. The body of the bird appears to be about as large as that of the seagull, but has long black legs. In flight it resembles the hawk, although it is very much more swift. Only very rarely does it nest in New Zealand, Westland being the place usually selected, where as many as twenty nests have been found in the same locality. The nest is built high up in the tree, and usually contains from three to four pale green eggs. The species is not seen in the North Island, where they have, however, the more common white crested crane and blue crane. The Maoris are extremely superstitious about the white heron, which they call kotuku, and believo that any one who touches it will bo immediately stricken with baldness.