Page 6 Advertisements Column 6

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 6

The Bell Bird’s Note. A resident of Okoia, near Wanganui, who is a keen student of New Zealand native bird life, says that bell birds along the coast hav« lost the bell-like notes which endeared them to Captain Cook in the sounds of the South Island. They have retained three whistling sounds by which they have always been distinguished and have developed fully their habit of mimicking tuis. The latter birds are multiplying rapidly aud are really better songsters than the bell birds, he says. Many grey warblers have been noticed, and their notes are particularly cheering. Bell birds, some four years ago, could be definitely distinguished by notes very like those of the bell in the Putiki church when beard across the water, and similar to a blacksmith beating an anvil away in tho distance. Tho combined effect of several birds greeting the dawn with such notes was very pleasing. Now residents of tho district will seek in vain to experience the pleasure of hearing such a chorus. Members of the Hastings Starr-Bow kett Building Society are reminded of the general meeting to be held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms, Queen street, at 8 o’clock this (Monday) evening, when appropriations amounting to £l5OO will be held. At this meeting the first sale to be held in the new issue will take place, and competition will probably be keen-