THE “GHOST” BIRDS

Patea Mail, Volume L, 4 November 1929, Page 4

THE “GHOST” BIRDS

NORFOLK ISLAND'S STRANGE VISITORS. ALWAYS ARRIVE SAME DAY. “Ghost birds” arc now back again, writes the Norfolk Islam! correspondent of the ‘New Zealand Herald.' These a c a species of-mutton birds, aud they get their local name from their appalling screams which sound exactly like human beings in direct distress. The birds arrive in thousands on October .14, and how they fix the date and arrange for leap year is a mystery. During the day the sea offshore ibe-

comes black with birds ami there they remain until nightfall, when they land in a mass. The earth around the edges ei the cliffs is burrowed like a rabbit warren with nesting holes-of the flock, and each bird darts immediately for the burrow in which it was hatched. Should ho find a stranger in there before him he seizes him by the tail and drags him out amid terriffic screams, and a battle royal is fought for possession. The night the “ghost birds” arrive pandemonium is let loose. All round the edges of the cliffs visitors with good nerves go out to hear the fearful cries which would make a blood-curd-i ling record for the “talkies.”