MAORI NATURE NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20906, 21 December 1929, Page 14

MAORI NATURE NOTES.

Written for the Otago Daily Times,

By J. H. Sj 111. Aka Kuku (pigeon vine) or Aka Kiori (rat vine) is our only representative of the passion flower, wherein those having religious fervour found in imagery several proofs of the crucifixion. Its shining dark green foliage, with abundance of deep orange-coloured passion fruit larger than a walnut, clinging to the stems and branches of trees high in the sunlight, is an attractive sight. The flower, though true to name, is inconspicuous and small. The fruit is edible, and, being much sought after by pigeon and rat, is aptly named. Our unique and varied fruiting plants of little value are sadly in need of a local Luther Burbank, who may by similar patient research produce many new and luscious fruits for the world’s appreciation. The Alia Kuku is easily transplanted, and, given its share of sunlight, asks no other favour, When fire could be produced only by the lengthy process of rubbing certain .selected dry sticks, a mpans of transporting it was of great value. For this purpose the dried stem of the Aka Kuku was lighted aud could be carried smouldering for several miles.

Aki Aki (to dash), the red bill, is a small gull with silver grey wing, lighter head mid breast, and barred, feathers in the tail. It frequents the harbours in great flocks, and sits patiently along the coast awaiting the signal that a shoal of fish is approaching. This comes from the scout bird with a cry like Kuru Kuru,” and is answered by a clamorous evolution in air and a successfu! fishing flight. 'Frequently the Aki Akis watch the petrels probing the sand with their long, sharp bills for crabs, then dash to the rescue or rob* bery. The Aki Aki is a greedy fellow, and can swallow a live fish as big as his own head and neck. He frequents the slaughter house or a drainage outlet near the sea, where he mingles fearlessly with the big gulls*and fights them’successfully for titbits.

tangled vine), the small climbing rata, is frequently mistaken for the young plant of the big ratatree, from which it differs in many respects. It is merely a climbing vine, and a very beautiful one. The shiny green leaves among which are white, pink, red, or yellow blooms extend from the ground to the sunlight at the top of its support, which may be any forest tree Up to SO feet. The aerial rootlets cling closely to the bark of the host, and probably extract nourishment, but never with a stranglehold like its big brother the rata. If cut in sections* each portion yields an astonishing flow of pink sap. If cut only at one end, the sap will not flow, but merely ueals the wound, unless air is admitted at the other end. BuShfellers soon found the virtues of this natural brew ns a cooling and invigorating drink, comparable m the judgment of derelict aristocrats to dry champagne. * Aroavotca (shining face) is the Maori name of the white throat shag. “ Kami c aroaro rna” (be not double faced) was a proverb applied as to this bird which turned from side, to side, showinu first white and then black. This awk w-ard fellow was distinguished from an other variety only by black ear lubes, "'“II st *J e other (Taringa Ma) had white. They are both rare, and specimens arc difficult to find except in the museums. Old Maori hunters sav the\ have boon killed off by the big spotted shag Parekareka (the pleasant face). It is not easy to picture the smile of a melancholy looking and silent cormorant- This is one of the largest of many v kinds of shag, of which New Zealand has more varieties than all other countries together. When we-fail to recognise the use or beauty of any created thing, we may‘blame our own want of discernment. So far wo do not even guess the shag's purpose in the economy of life.

Afcc Ake (for ever), named as an obvious allusion to its lasting qualities is u small tree with pale green elongated leaf, and with flat seed with wings which were.made for flight, but,, like those of the kiwi, have ceased to function. Used to make the Maori'weapon (mere), the chief s staff (taiaha), and the Maori digger (ko). Woods used for these pur poses were hung In the smoke till black as with age, and were thus'made immune to damage by insects. Tropical members of the same family a*c-said to have edible fruits and poisonous leaves. The English maple and horse chestnut are related. Thick groves of Ake Ake were found on dry, stony banks of the rivers; but its value as timber and fuel soon made it rare. It is the heaviest and most durable of New Zealand woods, and was known to the early settlers as lignum vitae. It grows readily but slowly from seeds, which arc said to be poisonous to birds.

Ha Koa’koa (voice of a fool!) is the lig brown sea hawk, though that name does not quite fit, for he seems to be afraid to wet his wings, and holds them aloft when he' sits on the water, which is seldom. Another illusion is that the name sea hawk indicates bravery among all his fellows. He is an arrant coward .and a. sea scavenger, who lives upou offal and helpless young sea birds. Lacking the initiative himself, ho now follows the karoro inland in search of worms behind the plough, and .haunts the vicinity of abattoirs and freezing works. A* stranded whale, whose prized flesh had escaped the eye of the Maon until ripe rot set’in, was a lure for the Koakoa, which was then snared or hit on the hqad when over full. The oil was valued as a lubricant for the hair and skin, and the downy feathers were woven into the flax kakahu clothing.