A BIRD-CATCHING TREE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7143, 22 April 1885, Page 4

A BIRD-CATCHING TREE.

Among the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," Mr B. H. Covett gives some startling facts as to the birdkilling powers of Pisonia Bnmoniana, or P. Sinalairii. A sticky gum is secreted by the carpels when they attain their full size, but is nearly as plentiful in their unripe as in their ripe condition. Possibly attracted by the flies, which embalm themselves in these sticky seed vessels, birds alight on the branches, and on one occasion two silver-eyes and a sparrow were found with their wings so glued that they were unable to flutter. Mr Cov9tt's sister, thinking to do a merciful act, collected all the fruit-bearing branches that were within reach and threw them oti the dust-heap. Next day about a dozen silver-eyes were found glued to them, four or five of tho pods to each bird. She writes : — " Looking at the treo one sees tufts of feathers and legs where the birds have died, and I don't think the birds could possibly get away without help. The black cat -just lives under the tree, a good many of the birds falling to her share. But a good many pods get into her fur, and she has to come and get them dragged out." In a note Mr T. Kirk says that Pisonia umbellifem is found in several localities north of Whangarei, both on the eait and west coasts, olso on the Taranga Islands, Arid Island, Little Barrier Island, and on the East Cape, possibly in the last locality planted by the Maoris. The fruiting pericarp ia remarkable for its viscidity, which is usually retained for a considerable period after the fruit is fully matured. It can be readily imagined that small birds tempted to feed on the seeds might easily become glued to a'cluster of fruits.