THE MUTTON-BIRDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14069, 24 May 1909, Page 6

THE MUTTON-BIRDERS.

A,SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

The mutton-birders are returning from the island roosts (says thb Bluff correspondent "of the Otago Daily Times), and by the end of this week the season's operations will have entirely : ended. So far as' can bo learned it will turn out'a good season's work. In all but cases where .exceptional conditions happened to prevail, the birds are reported to/have - been plentiful. -, Tho Bluff-owned island " takes" are variously estimated at £1000 to £1500, or' at the rate of £70 per man. That includes tho season's tako both for homo and outside/ consumption. Now ■'■'. that the fisheries have extended to tho utmost ends of < the island, these muttonbird ' parties cannot vbe called isolated, , as they were a few. years ; ago. f; To a considerable extent, however, they remain in seclusion. : : These periods extend over six i weeks 'to three months, i and during that space they are to a' large extent shut off from the outside world. \ =On; many of tho islands; fairly good buildings have been erected* also bark structures for the storage of the birds. After nightfall the pursuit is continued by means of, torchlight—torches being ; prepared from the bark of trees.: Kakas and : pigeons have been very plentiful. ■'■■. Indeed, it is said that on "no occasion within memory of : the oldest ' " birder" have these been so' numerous. The kaka- proved exceedingly voracious. .Whenever he could lay his talons on a bird car,case he : devoured - ' it' eagerly, :an experience theretofore unknown.