A MOUNTAIN FOREST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 7

A MOUNTAIN FOREST

a ■ -9 THE SEAWARD END OF THE TARARUAS. The large area of State forest which terminates on the towering: slopes of tho Tarawa Range on tho shores oi Palliser Bay (says a writer in le lyarero o Tone," the monthly newsletter of the Forest Service), is a fine sample, of the protection and climatic forests ot this country. Throughout its entire length this range fis precipitous and broken, and wherever any attempt has been made at interference with its natural cover tho result has been disastrous owing to>. the sliding of what little soil originally covered the stark rock foundation into tho wild gorges and torrents below. The -.seaward end of this range presents' many striking and interesting features. Starting from the beach, at the foot of the great slopes, one is immediately confronted with an almost mntlike face rising from two to three hundred feet covered with dense forest growth. Hero are some magnificent karaka groves, the rich glossy sheen of tho leaves standing out in bold contrast against the varied green of the background. After laboriously surmounting this first obstacle which lias to be accomplished by following ihe precarious game trails loading down from the main forest, we come upon a wide plateau, which, starting off almost on a level ior some hundreds of yards, commences to slope at first gently, and then becoming rapidly steeper until it becomes difficult to climb without great effort and. tho assistance of friendly trunks and branches of the all-pervading bush. . This slope, frequently ends in a razorback ridge whose further side falls away in a dizzy precipice of sheer rock and crumbling strata, right into the bed ot a mountain gorge almost back to sea-lex 01 ag Tlmso razor-backs require considerable care and skill to be negotiated, the eight of the. dim, misty depths below being quite sufficient to malto one look for sure hand and foot-hold before moving forward. Throughout this country the busk is of tho' densest description. On a cloudy day a sort of dim, twilight prevails under the heavy dome of foliage, while in the gorges where the sun rarely penetrates, the gloom is profound, and the rich, damp smell of ferne and rotting vegetation fills the air. The bird-life of this region is most fascinating, for here may still bo found the tiny bush wren, a little feathered chap about the size of ones thumb. These birds' are most inquisitive, and their shrill "Chee!. Chee! Chee! Chee I soon brings quite a number of .their companions crowding around to investigate into the cause of disturbance, loe white-headed bush canary ‘kopokatea is also present in tho gorges, and is tame enough to perch within a few feet of one and hop with step from twig to twig. ;■ ... . Ou the forest plateau the beautiful bush pigeon was in evidence feeding on the hinau ’berries then in season and it was a delight to see' these gentle birds moving with an joccasao(nal flap ot. gleaming bronze wings amid the iollage. Fantails wore fairly plentiful, while flocks of dainty white-eyes frequenteu the scrub on the beach, and hopped inquiringly about the little sand shrubs. Wild goats appeared to be faiyly numerous, and their plaintive bleatin" could be heard almost' anywhere in tho bush, while signs of pigs were abundant. . ... Tho wind in this country is something to be remembered. It can bo heard far off on tho ' cloud-clad summits of the main range two or three thousand feet above sea level, like the dull, roar of surf on a rocky coast. The noise swells in volume as the fierce squalls tear down between the walls of the mighty gorges until, with a deep-throated roar frequently accompanied by the crashing or branches torn from the straining trees, it bursts out into the waters of Palliser Bay and goes whirling off seaward m wreathing clouds of spume and spray.