STRANGE BIRDS FOUND

Evening Post, Issue 19, 23 July 1934, Page 10

STRANGE BIRDS FOUND

KERGUELEN PETRELS

INFLUENCE 0/ HEAD WINDS

Contrary winds' and other circumstances have led to the appearance in New Zealand of birds which usually are "strangors.' Some lime- ago a Mediterranean shearwater was found oil a beach near IToxton.' Now two birds identified as tho Kerguelen petrel (Sterodronia brcverostris) have been found. It is difficult to explain the appearance of birds whoso habitat is so remote. Either the winds have been behaving in an unusual way and natural circumstances are changing, or more people arc bird conscious, observant, and curious.

One specimen of thd Kcrguclcn petrel was found in a paddock in Feilding and sent to the Dominion Museum. Dr. W.K. B. Oliver, tho director, states that the. bird has been recorde*- in - Australia, but tho Feilding specimen and another found on Kapiti Island are tho first to have been recorded in 'New Zealand as far as is known. The bird forwarded 'from- Feilding by Mr. H. Fraser. is being' mounted for exhibition. The bird is of a sooty black colour, about tho same size as the common pigeon, but with a much larger wingspread. • The theory of its presence in New Zealand is. that-it. was blown from, its native habitat, the Kerguelen Islands, in the Antarctic .Ocean, by.contrary winds and finally found a refuge on ilNew: Zealand; shores, v.the trials, of the long journey proving too much for it.