FLORA AND FAUNA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 15

FLORA AND FAUNA

Sir, —A few days ago I paid a visit to the Titirangi hills in order to regale myself with tho fragrance of the bush and the freedom of the birds. There is a tonic in the trees and it is interesting to see how nature reveals herself to tho sympathetic student. Of course, she reserves more than she reveals. But I was intensely delighted with the natural riches of the hills, and my brief survey was enough to show me a wonderful variety of trees and shrubs, from the graceful kauri to the glassy titoki. The Dominion's representative tree is much in evidence, and it is a thousand pities to destroy these numerous young kauris. The different species of birds charmed me very much, and I was surprised to tabulate over 15 varieties without including any of the sea fowl. I have not seen any finer specimens of the pigeon and tui in any other part of- New Zealand, and the sweet and melodious notes of the latter were most entrancing. It is a great asset to have within one-half hour's drive of the city, and no effort should be too costly to preserve it from every species of vandalism. Indeed, it would be a praiseworthy matter if some public-spirited citizen would purchase another 200 acres on tho western side of the reserve and present it to the Government or City Council. Such lovely forest and natural shelters for bird life should be reluctantly sacrificed for the sake of a few feet more grass or homesteads that might be arranged on the plains. W. J. Elliott.