THE NATURALIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 76

THE NATURALIST.

IN TOUCH WITH NATURE. NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY IN NEW ZEALAND. (By James Drtjmmond, F.L.S., F.Z.S.) "Pompey," a tame penguin, that has taken up its residence at Akaroa, came from Fisherman's Bay, on Banks Peninsula, but Mr L. Vangioni, " Pompey's " friend and protector, states that it is the only penguin of its species found on the Peninsula, and that it probably came originally from the far south of New Zealand. He says that it is one of the yellow-crested penguins. This apparently is identical with the yellow-eyed penguin, which is sometimes called the grand penguin, and which breeds on the southern coast of New Zealand and on Stewart Island and the Auckland and Campbell Islands. Crested penguins visit" the Peninsula every year about February to moult, and then depart again, and Mr Vangioni states that the only other penguin found on the Peninsula is the blue penguin, which is found in many other places of the New Zealand coast from the North Cape to Stewart Island. If this is correct it seems to be probable that another species, the white nippered penguin, has become extinct. Seven years ago it was reported to be known only from the Peninsula, having disappeared from all other places. It resembled the blue penguin in appearance. On its upper surface it was slaty blue, and on its lower surface white. Its eye was silvery grey and its flippers were greyish black, but were widely bordered with white on both margins, with a white patch near the middle of the back margin. It would be interesting to know if any member of the species has been seen in recent years. The late Mr T. H. Potts, in describing the habits of these white-ftippered penguins, stated that they bred in November, December, and January. "They nest in large numbers, amongst crevices of rock usually not far above high-water mark," he said, "so as to have immediate access to the sea, and these may be considered as choice stations for rearing their young. Perhaps less fortunate, or more industrious, couples have to undertake a far greater amount of toil in the accommodation of a family. They burrow out a tunnel with very great neatness, often for a considerable distance from the entrance, which is usually a perfectly round hole some three or four inches in diameter. When the tunnel is molested the old bird makes a vigorous defence of its offspring, using beak and claws with much spirit, at the same time uttering cries not very unlike the mewing of a cait." i Writing from St. Helier, Jersey, on January 26, Miss B. Turton stated that the golden oriole, the roller, and the lesser black-backed bittern are extinct on the island now. All of them have been shot out, the first two on account of their beautiful plumage. One day Miss Turton entered into conversation with a farmer who was ploughing, and who was followed by large numbers of snowwhite gulls. He told her that residents protected the gulls, as they were the I farmers' friends. The only manure used for the potato crops on the island is a species of seaweed called " vraic." It is ploughed into the earth and the gulls pounce upon the insects it contains. The vraic has an extraordinary effect on the ' grass, giving it a very vivid appearance.

Papaitonga Lake, a beautiful place about 60 miles from Wellington and within a few miles of the Manawatu railway line, has an historical interest to bird-lovers, because Sir Walter B.uller selected it as his country residence when he lived in the capital city. At one time, when it was in the possession of the Maoris, it was a favourite resort for sportsmen, who slaughtered pigeons, kakas, pukekos, ducks, and other species of native birds. In 1892 the late Lord Glasgow, while Governor of New Zealand, shot over the property as Sir Walter Buller's guest, and since that time no shooting for sport has taken place on the lake or in the forests that grow near it. Sir Walter in his " Supplement " has given a delightful picture of the bird life on the lake. " Dabchicks," he says, " play on the surface of the water, and terns and gulls hover overhead. On the raupo-covered banks swamp hens abound, and down in the sedgy hollow may be heard frequently the boom of the lonely bittern. As the shades of evening close in the shrill cry of the wood hen may be heard on every side, and later on the solemn cry of the morepork marks the approach of night." The beauties of the lake have been dealt with in a lyric by the Hon. W. P. Reeves, formerly High Commissioner of New Zealand, who, in describing Pember Bay, wrote: Here the wild birds, from ancient coverts pressed, May seek asylum by this silent mere, And though no other glade, or wave give rest, May lind it here.

I To add to the value of the estate ae a sanctuary, Sir Walter liberated upon it a number of kiwis, including the North ! Island species, the big spotted kiwi from the West Coast of the South IsLand, and '■. the grey kiwi, in order, as he said, "to : bring together on my own property ae ! many as possible of these endemic forms." This effort at acclimatisation, apparently, ! has not been successful. Mr J. M. Rich- ' ards, who is curator of the property for the beneficiaries under Sir Walter's will, and who has lived there for five years, informs me that he has never heard or seen kiwis near the lake, nor has he received reports of their presence there.

"In fact," he says, "I did not know any had been liberated here until I received your letter. As far as I have seen, there are only the common small native birds on the estate here, such as the fantail, and an occasional tui and cuckoo. Sometimes the lake is thickly populated with ducks of different species, usually in the winter, with an odd swan or two, also sometimes a few pukeko, and bittern in the swamp." In a note published in February, Mr P. Malthus stated that kiwis are present on Somes Island, in Wellington Harbour, as he has heard their cries, but that he had never seen them. Commenting on this, Mr A. Hansen writes : —"lt seems almost impossible that kiwis can exist there in a wild state without having been seen. The situation, to my mind, is quite unsuitable, as the kiwi is almost exclusively a forest-dwelling bird, demanding for its existence an abundant supply of animal food, easily obtainable. Its feeble bill would be a poor implement with which to penetrate the sun-baked earth, such as is likely to be found on Somes Island during dry summer months. At Puysegur Point, at any rate, the kiwi finds its main supply of food among the larvae of different kinds of beetles, especially that of the stag beetle, which is present there in great quantities under flax bushes and among roots of trees. If kiwis really are on the island, Mr Malthus should have little difficulty in unearthing them, that is, if he has a dog, as the kiwi leaves a strong scent. Further communication from Mr Malthus describe the crv which hg has heard at night, and which he presumes is made by kiwis. The real cry of these birds is unmistakable, but is seldom heard, even where they are plentiful. I have never been on Somes Island, and therefore cannot speak with authority as to ita suitableness for kiwis. I merely judge from i"t« appearance that it is not suitable. There may be damp and swamp places where a kiwi could eke out a living."