THE MUSIC OF THE BUSH. I THE BELL BIRD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 69

THE MUSIC OF THE BUSH. I THE BELL BIRD.

(By A. G. C.)

Tn the waning light of a late moon, when the trees heave a gentle sigh as if inhaling ' the fresh breeze coming up from the western ocean, the prelude to the usual concert by the feathered choir arrests the attention. As everything in Nature is perfectly planned, it seems right and fitting that the "Parson Bird"' (the tui) should be fir«t to salute the coming day. But he does it in a very leisurely manner. I

Beginning -with the lowest note to be used in the service (which further on proves to be the dominant of the key), he Utters that two or three times in a halfasleep tone of voice. Then, as if in answer to a muttered warning from a neighbouring bush, proceeds to give us something more lively ; but is compelled to succumb to the i

"Moki," or bell bird, who speedily starts to imitate, but a minor third lower and in a

minor key. However, a small matter like that does" not trouble the moki. From a musical point of view, the ball bird ib one of the mast erratic of individuals. He thinks nothing of changing time and tune, or from major to minor, or yjee versa, *hile hanging on by his eyenrows to a twig 50ft from the ground, at the same time keeping an eye to business in the foraging department. After uiir fast moki has trolled •a measure cr two one of his mates " chips , in," and begins on the natural seventh of j the scale in usa, which lie quickly converts'

into a new dominant, and thereby changes the melody and the mode into the relative major key (C natural). The singing then becomes more general, all " hands" enter-

ing into the new condition of things quite cheerfully. To the resident of the bush there is no need to see the moki to distinguish his aong. Combined to the clear bell-like notes

(which are characteristic of the bird) there ia that unfortunate tendency to " cut it

sliort" which is unmistakable. Compared with the tui (who will sit for 10 minutes and pour out his heart in those rich, throaty strains which, are inimitable), the moki is

"not in it," but conveys the impression that he sings whatever notes come uppermost, as a convenient way of passing the time. Truly, like Artemus Wards pet monkey, he is an " amoosin' cuss. '

— There is probably no article consumed with such carelessness as gas. Defective and obsolete burners are fitted to the pipes, and th» average man allows it to be on full force at the meter when only 30 per cent, or less qf the supply is needed. A few years ago an investigation took place, at the instance of the English Board of Trade, into the question of gas-burners, and the referees stated that, owiug to the normal defecthe quality of the burners, consumers got far less light for the amount of gas consumed than they were entitled to, in tome instances only onefourth. In other word*, this 'tatemem, means that out of £1 w-orth of gas paid lor only 5s worth save light