MAORI NATURE NOTES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 161, 27 June 1930, Page 7

MAORI NATURE NOTES

FOR TRIBUNE READERS (Copyright—J.H.B.) Reader* of the “Tribune” who are interested in the flora and bird life of New Zealand, by cutting out these Maori Nature Notes each day as they appear and filing them in a suitable scrap book, may compile a book of reference which will be to them a source of pleasure and instruction in the vaars to come. TIEKE, or saddle back, so called lor an obvious reason, is a shining black, with a saddle not unlike the colour of a chestnut horse, the peculiarity still further marked by the red wattles like a pair of pendant ears. It is about the size of a tui, but has a rather awkward walk, and is not a good flier. Its attitude is peculiar, and the boys said that it looked as if it was always “on the jump when still’’! Jn pairs they moved through the bush preceded by flocks of the little Mohua or yellow head canary, upon which they seem to be guided in their search for food. Though followers, it always seemed that the signal for advance was given to the flock of Mohua which led the hunt for food, by the sharp cry of Tieke. Like the Huia, they seem to have disappeared from the mainland, perhaps because their little pilots have also gone. If only to watch their curious movements, and hear their flute notes, a visit to Kapiti or other bird sanctuary is worth while.