A RARE BIRD

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 4 May 1925, Page 6

A RARE BIRD

THE NEW ZEALAND NOTORNIS

"ABSOLUTELY PROTECTED."

It was reported that live specimens of the rare New Zealand bird known as the notoniis had been seen in the Sounds district of Otago.t This has spurred several amateur collectors, not knowing the restrictions on the bird, to action.It is well that these ardent naturalists should heed the law, for the provisions of "The Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921:22," places the notornis in the list of " absolutely protected" birds, and the penalty for infringement is severe. "Since the publication of a report from the South," remarked the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. R. F. Bollard) this morning, "the Department has had evidence that some amateur collect- | ors are keen to track down a live specimen of the notornis. While I can appreciate their enthusiasm to find the habitat of tho notornis and prove that tho rare bird i>3 not extinct, as was supposed before the reports were recently j received, 1 think they would be wise to remember the legal aspect of the mattoxbefore embarking on an expedition which might have a termination different la i that anticipated." Mr. Bollard pointed out that under the Act (notices in connection with which had been sent to the Post Offices and Police Stations of the Dominion) every person committed an offenco who. without lawful authority, took, or had in I possession, any absolutely protected bird, or the skin or feathers of any such bird, the fine for an offence being £25. The regulations also provided that any absolutely protected bird, or the skin, feathers, or eggs of any such bird, unlawfully taken or in possession, became forfeited to the Crown The notornis, or, as it is called by tho Maoris,' "Takahe," is. a large, heavy, and flightless rail with massive bill and legs, and very handsome and striking plumage. The bill and legs, in contrast to the prevailing colour of the plumage, are bright red; the plumage being x olive green about, with some blue shading, the wings blackish blue, the head, neck, and lower wings dark purplish blue, and the under tail-coverts white. The bird has been described as being something like a gigantic pukeko.