NATIVE BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 125, 29 May 1928, Page 11

NATIVE BIRDS

NOT YET VANISHING PROTECTION ESSENTIAL "Let no one think that our heritage in the native birds is passing from us. The protection of all these is more than a pleasure, it is a solemn duty, which should be shared alike by all," writes Banger. T. Andrews, in the annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. "The native pigeon is undoubtedly increasing in numbers; fairly large flights can be seen in the more fay; oured valleys. Kakas are now seldom seen, the brilliant parakeet is only seen at long intervals, the makomako is holding its own, and the beautiful little fantails are found everywhere. This is the most captivating of all the 'native fauna. The tui still fills the air with melody in certain places. Tomtits can be seen in most places about the bush line, favouring new burns in particular-. Tho grey war'nler and the wren are not ■ uncommon, but the saddleback, with the exception of some in the Tararuas, behind Tokomaru and Mangahao, is very scarce. The weka seems to be nearly extinct in the Tararuas, and the same applies to the kiwi, but eggs 6f the latter have been found in a range beyond Taihape. One,of these is now on view at the society's office. Local rabbit trappers report tho presence of a number of these interesting birds. The native ground lark is plentiful through-, out'our district, and both the long-tailed and tho shining cuckoo can be sce3i and heard in their season. "Tho pied stilt is,to be seen anywhere on the Manawatu Biver from Palmerston North to Poxton, especially favouring the riverbed about Karere, and during the past year has been plentiful, in the Wairarapa district also. Pukeko, under protection, increased rapidly, and are to bo seen in their hundreds in the swamp country at Tokomaru and Linton. The open season' of fourteen days did not make any appreciable difference as to numbers. Banded dottrell can be seen in frar numbers throughout our district. Grey duck is .still numerous on our large lakes, both in the Manawatu and Bangitikei areas. The sanctuaries are covered with birds, but as large tracts of swamp land are being drained and the feeding area contracts year by year, so the duck will surely depart. Bittern can be frequently seen in the swamp country, but are not numerous. Blue cranes are scarce, but one pair can usually be seen on the rocks near Petone; a second pair lias its home in Porirua harbour; a third pair is homing between Pukerua- and Paekakariki. Kingfishers are fairly numerous throughout our district."