STORM-BEATEN BIRDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16909, 23 July 1918, Page 4

STORM-BEATEN BIRDS.

ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM. „

The heavy gales during the autumn and

winter have indirectly added to the col-

lections of tho Auckland Museum. The

cyclonic gale of March 20 was responsible for a fine specimen of the frigate bird, which, .though common in tropical seas, has only been seen in New Zealand

on three previous occasions. It was

picked up in tho Harbour, and sent to tho museum by the finder, Mr. H.

0. Small. A few weeks later, after' another gale, the museum received a specimen of the sooty tern, which breeds on Norfolk Island, but of which none has previously been seen in New Zealand. It was found in an exhausted state in a ( paddock near the Waitomo Caves, and was presented by Mr. H. F. Smith. This week a fine specimen of the broad- ! billed dove-petrel, an oceanic bird which seldom comes near the mainland, was 1 found in a garden at Pukekohe, worn 1 out by battling with the incessant gales ' of the last fortnight. It was forwarded j by the finder, Mrs. I. B. Brown. ' Yesterday two other specimens of theso petrels were received— from Mrs. F. Wallis, of Tuakau, and the other 1 from Mr. C. C. Sandford, who picked it ( up near Westfield. No doubt other birds I have been driven inland by the weather In all such cases it will be'to the interest of the public if persons finding them. ' were to forward them to the museum. I !