NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1933, Page 9

NATURE NOTES

WELLINGTON'S BACK COUNTRY

BIRD-LIFE AT NGAUMU

(By E. H. D. Stidolph, E.A.0.U.) '

Flowing for many, miles bctweea precipitous banks, particularly in tha upper reaches, the Wainuioru Eiver and its tributaries provide a safe rcfuga for many native birds. In some places the banks of the river converge so as to form a ravine perhaps well over a hundred feet in depth, with the bank* clothed in bush wherever there is sufficient foothold for the' trees to grow. A tributary of the Wainuioru ovef which tho Ngaumu Eoad crosses is an impressive example of New Zealand scenery in its wildest glory, and it i* to be hoped that the bush is not de« stroyed. Farm lands border the river on .either side, but the* banks in manyj places are too rough to be disturbed, so that there is every reason to expect the bush to survive.. Even, for no other reason than to* prevent erosion, it is essential that the bush should remain intact. One of the most numerous of native birds along the bank* of this river in the Ngaumu Koad district is the rifleman wren, which ha* the distinction of being tho smallest bird in New Zealand. All along tha banks, wherever there are beech trees, the rifleman is to be seen and heard. The first indication of its ' presenca usually comes from its lively call notes, which are surprisingly penetrating for so small a bird. A minute or two later the. bird itself xnay.be* Seen busily, searching the trunk and branches for insects. The rifleman is one of tha most industrious birds in the bush, and as its diet is strictly insectivorous it is also one of the most useful in the protection of the forests. It is very pleasing to find this bird in the midst of a farming' district. In fact, tho rifleman appears to bo more widespread than is usually imagined, and it is not by any, means confined to beech forests. It also occurs in many places in toxad forests.

Another interesting native bird found at Ngaumu is the whitehead. Tha riverside bush affords an ideal habitat for this species, as in addition to.many, clumps of beech trees there are consid* erable areas of manuka, which is a favourite resting tree. The whitehead, too, should be quite safe in this natural haven, and it would be interesting to know if it is victimised by the longtailed cuckoo in this, district as it "is in1 other places. An occasional tui is to bo heard or seen along the river, but thin bird is scarce compared with its numbers in more closely settled parts of the district, notably the Wairarapa Vali ley. At the present time the, tui is a conspicuous feature of the bird^lifo of the larger Wairarapa towns, where it is. a regular visitor to gardens even, in tha principal streets. • The tui has learnt that considerable food to its liking is to be obtained in garden plants and any euealypts and other trees are visited without fail. In the Nga'umu district the tomtit appears to be better represented than it is in many other places. There are large areas of Tiia* nuka on some of the hillsides, and. these, together with the riverside bush, are favourite haunts of this attractiva little bird. Judging by the actions of a female tomtit, this bird1 is already preparing for the breeding season. This female seemed to spend unlimited tinia on a wire fence, from which it inado sudden descents to the ground to gather nesting material. It only remained on the ground for a few seconds, and flow back to the fence again a little further on. Jn this way it traversed the whola length of the fence, and then proceeded: to go along another one at right angles. It refused to disclose the whereabouts of its nesting site while watched, and when left for a few moments dis» appeared. As there was some low manuka nearby, in all probability its nest would be located in one of thesa shrubs.

Other native birds observed in. the district included the grey warbler, which finds tho conditions there quite suitable to its mode of life. This cheery little bird shows an attachment for manuka, and wherever there are stands of this shrub the warbler- is invariably to be found. The pied fantail also finds sufficient inducement In the district to determine it to resido there, although it is one of the most scarce of native birds. In fact, the faiitail is a inu<?h more rarer bird than many people imagine. During the best part of a day spent in this district, for instance, only two of this species were encountered. All the same, it is generally distributed throughout the country, even in the larger towns and -cities, where there are sufficient open space* and park lands. The silvor-cye, f>t course, is as plentiful at Ngaumu at elsewhere, and at this time of the year spends a more or less roving life in flocks of varying size. It feels the scarcity of food somewhat in the winter months, and is soon attracted' to tha garden if suitable delicacies, such as apple skins or cones, suet, and such like are placed there for its benefit. Along the banks of the river an occasional kingfisher is seen,1 but this beautiful bird is rather rare, but it is not any scarcer in this district than it is in many other parts of the country. The confiding pipit, or\ground lark, is equally at home,' as pastoral country, eminently suits its likes and dislikes, and it delights to accompany the traveller along the road for short distances, keeping just in front of him. Overhead, the harrier is taking stock of: the situation, circling round in.an'over--varying course, Ms keen eyes on the look-out for any prey which may be seized or any garbage which may be pilfered. ■

Introduced birds, of course, are well represented by the usual quota of blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, and sparrows. Others include the hedge sparrow, a retiring sort of bird, which is now com-, mon and widespread. The dainty little redpoll is also present, and, like the warbler, shows a liking for manuka. One or two parties of goldfinches are usually to be seen, and the yellowhammer puts in an appearance now and again. The greenfinch is conspicuous by its absence. This bird, in iact, is considerably scarcer than it was years ago, when it was present in the Wai« rarapa district in large numbers.