NATIVE PIGEONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23201, 27 May 1937, Page 15

NATIVE PIGEONS

m THE EDITOn Sir,—l was greatly interested in reading Mr W. Downie Stewart's letter relative to a native pigeon. It was a real delight to see this fair visitor feeding on the berries of the kowhai tree in my garden a few weeks ago. According to earlier records of Otago. this bird was exceedingly abundant for years after the arrival of the early settlers, and the youths of the town spent, their Sunday afternoons shooting the native nigeon a? a form of " sport." Although I have lived in Dunedin for 12 years, this is-the first occasion on which T have seen this bird. It is beautiful of plumage, and ot rather unusual size. The bird is about the size of a medium-sized pullet, its beak is red. its neck green tinged with red, its breast white, and its wings red and green Unped with dark blue. In regard to its feeding habits Mr Stewart asks how the bird is able to detect (he kowhai tree in various parts of Dunedin The birds is strong of flight, and no doubt flies from bush to bush seeking its favourite food I suppose it is guided by the same instinct which guides animals to water in desert and jungle areas The bird is forced down from high altitudes in (he winter owing to the lack of food and feeds on the berries and shoots of the kowhai Other berries which the native nigeon eats are those of the konini poroporo nuriri. makomako. matai. karaka, etc. In the nestine season, this bird builds a rough nest in the branches of a large scrub near a steep cliff The female lav= a single white egg. and this is hatched with great care by the parents. During recent months. I have seen three other welcome visitors in my gardennamely, the bellbird. the tui. and the shining cuckoo, or pipiwharauroa I am, etc.. Bird Lover Dunedin. May 25.