WINGS OF BEAUTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 26

WINGS OF BEAUTY.

PLUMAGE BIRDS OF FIJI. At the rear of the Fiji Court are two eases of representative Fijian birds. They are missed by many visitors, as they arc of necessity in a somewhat obscure position, but their worth is deserving of a much more prominent showing. Every day sightseers who take an interest in natural history and bird life can be found examining the cases with their gorgeous coloured contents from the tropical islands of the South Seas. They are but a few of the many beautiful and interesting birds of Fiji, a colony which has an avifauna of about 115 dif-. ferent species, the chief glory of which, as pointed out by Dr Casey A. Woods, is the wild fruit pigeons and doves. In referring to bird life in Fiji, this writer, who spent some considerable time in the group, says:—“The wealth and diversity of bird life in Fiji are probably due to the fact that the larger islands of the group are well supplied with freshwater rivers of considerable size and length. These tidal streams penetrate many miles into the interior, to the jungle-clad mountains, offering shelter and protection, growth and distribution to many kinds of land birds, while the thousands of miles of reefs furnish the requisite environment for sea and shore birds.”

Among the larger birds to be seen in the collection at the Fiji Court are the beautiful white owl (Strix Candida),the jaunty goshawk (Astur rufitorques), the solemn-looking purple gallinule, and the “bici,” or Fijian hand rail. Another bird is Fiji’s most tuneful songster, the wattled honey eater (Ptilotis carunculata). The song of this bird is mainly heard at sunrise and sunset. To the newcomer from Home, who hears it for the first time, particularly in the early evening, it is strangely reminiscent of the thrush.

Here, also, arc good specimens of the male and female orange or flame-coloured dove (Chrysoenas victor). The sexes are differently feathered. The male has a velvety olive coloured cap, delicately fringed with yellow, while the rest of the body is clothed in a covering of glossy hair-like feathers of a brilliant orangered colour. “Flame coloured” aptly describes this beautiful bird. It flight has been likened to “the passage of a rocket on a dark night.” The female, often mistaken for a separate species, is of a rich green. There is also a fine specimen of the nutmeg pigeon (GFobicera pacifica), a striking bird with an iridoscent wine-coloured plumage. This bird has a remarkable stomach, lined with bony spines, which help to grind and digest the arillus or “mace” of the wild nutmeg on which it subsists. It is also one of the. finest eating pigeons in the world. Examplos of the Fijian “ kill a,” or parakeet, are also to be seen in the collection. It would be hard to imagine, anything more beautiful in the bird world than this little gem. It is just about

eight inches in length, with a brilliant ultramarine cap, emerald green neck and tail, the rest of the body deep scarlet and green, and the back partly concealed in a flowing feathery mane. Another handsome bird is the yellowbreasted parrot (Pyrrhulopsis personatus)), nearly 2ft in length, with a beautiful plumage, consisting of a bright yellow vest, green back, and blue wings. This bird is now comparatively rare iD Fiji. There are also specimens of the red-breasted parrot, which, although not so decorated as his cousin of the yellow breast, is a beautiful bird, with the head and all the upper surface crimson, while the back and wings are bright green. There are also specimens of “ honey suckers,” " flycatchers,” shortwings, thickheads, and other interesting Island birds. The Commissioner (the Hon. R. Boyd, M.L.C.) stated yesterday that the collection was made, stuffed, and mounted by an enthusiastic amateur ornithologist, Mr Martin, of Suva. He is certainly to be congratulated.