THE BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 38 (Supplement)

THE BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Comprising some species that are common elsewhere; some that are universal in range, like ti3 shag; ,and some mat are peculiar to New Zealand, like the ground parrot and kiwi. These latter appear to be rssults of evolution, working in me direction of entirely 'wingless birds, success in this effort having be 2 n achieved in the kiwi genus and in the extmci moa.

A young woman, at a country house party one Chr'stmas. had been thrilled with delicious horrors by tales of ghosts and l.obgoblins told by certain of her fellow -guests round a generous tire just betore they separated for the night. The next morning she appeared 1 at- the i>reakfast table ready for depaiture, and, when pressed to explain her l'eason for going, finally confessed that she was afraid to sleep under roof another night. She said that about midnight she was

awakened by a stealthy step, and to her horror fuw a spectre, all in white, at the foot of her bed, and it raised its claw-like hands and actually drew the coverlid off the bed. There was no haDucination about" it, for the coverlid was gone! While the interest was at its Tiei^ht a belated breakf aster appealed and remarked genially: "How coM it was last night ! Knowing that the room next to mine was unoccupied I took the liberty of helping myself to an extra covering from there !"

Connected with January are not a few interesting old-world customs, which are still observed) in some districts. Among them is the quaffing of the "lov ng-cup" by the Corporation of the City of London. It is a modified remnant of the "wa^ail-bowl," which was used by the Saxons on New Year's Eve. A large shallow wooden bowl was filed with hot spiced ale, and was p;u taken of by every member of the household, from the highest to th* humblest.

Another custom is the eating of mince pies on New Year's Day, which is for luck's sake. Anyone calling at a neighbour's house on that day before 6 o'clock at night is expected to eat a mince pie, and also to cany away another in his hand when he leaves ; the latter being presented to him by the hostess, with all good wishes for the coming year The ingredients are supposed to foreshadow various chances of prosperity, and the crust betokens that he will never need shelter dur'ng that year at all events.

Lastly, there is that quaint idea of placing a three-penny piece in the toe of a stocking on New Year's Eve, to ensure the wearer's ti ending the paths of luxury. New Year's Day invariably falls on the same day of the week as October 1 in any year except Leap Year. The Chinese Noah's Ark usually contains a unicorn, a dragon, a griffin, and a number of other curious mythological creatures.

i By the ancient Saxons December was styled Helighmonat, or Holy , month. | The decking of houses, shops, etc., at Christmas spiings from a 1 similar custom of the Romans, who kept their saturnalia in December. i Among the converts to the Christian religion on the eastern coasts ' of Asia the custom prevails of telegraphing or cabling their Christmas I greetings to each other.