BUSH AND BIRD NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 25 October 1940, Page 6

BUSH AND BIRD NOTES

THE CAPE PIGEON UNUSUAL VISITOR TO NELSON WATERS (Contributed) Those who saw the pretty seabird in the harbour to-day (18th October) swimming happily round the ships in port may be interested to know that it was a medium-sized petrel known by the name of “Cape Pigeon.” This charming stranger, easily recognised by means of its spotted black and white plumage, whilst quite common in certain parts of the world is a most unusual visitor to Nelson whither it was doubtless driven in by the recent northerly gale.

The petrel has an interesting history for it was well-known to early explorers in Australasian waters. Dampier, Cook, and other famous navigators called it the “Pintado Petrel” and it was recorded by Sir Joseph Banks off the waters of New Zealand on Cook’s first voyage. Then for a hundred years it was overlooked but was finally listed as a New Zealand species by Gray in 1862.

At certain times of the year it can be seen fishing off the entrance to Wellington harbour and has also been recorded as far north as the Kermadecs, though its real home is further south. But the bird has a far wider range than New Zealand waters for it can be seen throughout the Southern Ocean. At times it visits th e United States, South America, Europe and the Indian Ocean as far as Ceylon. Those who desire to study these petrels must however go to the Antarctic for, except during the breeding season, these cold regions are the haunts of the Cape Pigeon. Here they exist in large numbers and are well known to whalers. They hang round the whaling stations, such as the Falkland Islands, eagerly devouring the scraps that are thrown out. In consequence of this habit their numbers are on the increase and they become exceedingly tame.

In common with all petrels the Cape Pigeon comes inshore to breed on suitable rocky islands, most of which are far from New Zealand. But it also occurs here; being credited with nesting upon the Snares and Bounty Islands. Their nests are placed on exposed ledges of cliffs from twenty to a hundred feet above and consist of stones and earth. Writing of this petrel Sir Walter •Duller said: “In stormy water it often approaches land, following in the wake of the tossing vessel, hovering gracefully over the water, and occasionally alighting on the surface to pick up any floating substance that may arrest its attention. I do not know of any more pretty sight than to watch the Cape Pigeon on the wing. They move with such absolute command of the wing, presenting to the observer alternately their snow-white breast and then their prettily marked upper surface. the whole set off by their sooty black head and neck, that they look like large painted moths hovering in the air . . . there is no transitional plumage from the young to the adult stages, and no difference observable between the sexes . . .”

When clustered over food the Cape Pigeon gives vent to a low cackling note like “ka-ka.” They share with the albatross the trick of following ships for days and this habit led to a long article upon the subject by Professor Hutton pointing out that they sleep at sea and knowing very well that a ship is the most likely place to I obtain food, they fly high with the intention of looking for one. But because a number of birds are seen hanging round the ship every day it does; not imply that they are the same as, seen the previous day, although some j may rejoin the ship whilst others may I

have just attached themselves to it. He strengthens his argument by saying that he had observed that in the early morning very few birds were to be seen at sunrise but that, later, they began to arrive in large numbers. The Cape Pigeon in the harbour today had a curious method ferrying itself along, by means of webbed feet placed far back which, performing a scissoring action, swung the bird slightly from side *0 side. Seen from behind it had the tail raised sharply out of the w’ater, a design alleged to have been copied by the Vikings when building their vessels in order to make them ride well on the waves.