Bird Tales

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

Bird Tales

FIVE years ago when we were having tea we heard a queer noise out at the front of the house. The sea was ve:.*y rough and yet there was no rain. We did not take much notice of it till next night when we heard it again. We opened the door bit did not see anything. When we wer.t to bed this noise changed to a squa-rk and it continued most of the night. Well! Next night we had a good lool: outside when we heard this noise. Sitting very quietly on the step we watched to sec what carae from under

Original, by SHIRLEY HADDOW (15)

the house and, what do you think?. They were penguins 1 They had come up out of the storm to nest under tn© house. Since then many penguins nave nested and come up for shelter under our house. They do not worry us at all.

Three years ago we had a gTeen budgie, a male. He was just out of the nest when we put him in. a little cage. A few months later he started to talK, saying, "Holo, Mr. Green!" "Mr. Green." "Good morning,^Mr. Green! His own name was Mr. Green. - Months after _he was killed by a morepork in daylight, tip "in the bush. Mr Green could be let out of Ills cage at any time without his wings_ being cut. He would go anywhere m the country but would always return tG the house afterwards. I am training another budgie now. It is a blue female this time.

A few days ago some pigeons came to our house and sat on a low branch of a puriri tree. No matter how much noise was made round tliem it did not disturb them. But! If a man walked past with a gun they were off. \\ e never let anyone hurt them.