NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2693, 11 July 1923, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.

LVNOH CLUB ADDRESS. " New Zealand Birds," was the subject that occupied the attention of the Lunch Club yesterday, Mr. Arthur Roe being the lecturer. Birds were, unfortunately usually looked upon as objects for slaughter, said Mr. Roe. In New Zealand we lid not take nenrl) enough interest in them, seeing lhat we possessed birds of unique variety. . Protection was net nearly strong enough, partietilarlv is compared with that in other countries. Civilisation seemed to take little account of the flora or fauna of the country. Strangro vo say, some of our birds were peculiar, being from the fact that they were songless or flightless, or for their dullness of plum age. The wrybill plover was singular by having a sideways bill, which Darwin mentioned in his " Origin of 'lie Species." This bill enabled it to xtract small crustaceans from bei aeath stones and other hiding places. JThe fact that we had flightless birds A'cmed to be connected with the Tolara lizard, as according to modern theorists, the lizards and the birds had i common ancestor at some remote; period. After dealing with Professor Owen's reconstruction of the moa Yom a small bone, the speaker turned to Ihe kiwi. This bird semed likely >non to become as extinct as the moa. 'f was flightless and laid but one egg a, year, which being left on the ground was an easy prey to enemies. It had a very acute hearing and could detect i. worm in the ground. The kakapo. or ground parrot, had, it was believed, only recently forsaken the trees . It was a nocturnal feeder, and was becoming scare owing to the introduction of European rats, cats and dogs. Among migratary birds were the god wits, which went regularly to Siberia, making many stops en route. The shining cuckoo went to New Caledonia, a flight of 1000 miles. The old birds left New Zealand early in January and the young birds later, because 'hey were not fully fledged. It had ■eon suggested that the birds followed the old land and coast lines of the continent, of which Australia and New Zealand had onco. formed a part. The Hula was now almost extinct. Men at Yrapcti camp had told the speaker that they had seen specimens, but the information had not been verified. Tin ;ui, or parson bird, was the star songster of the Kaw Zealand bush, and capable of ventriloquial feats. The wild pigeon, mutton bird, gannet, ken, penguim, fantail and gray warbler were also mentioned by Mr. Roe, Oil the motion of Mr. Frederick, a hearty vote of thanks was carried to Mr. Roe for his most interesting id dress.