Gifts of Honey.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20232, 16 February 1934, Page 6

Gifts of Honey .

Nature Notes

By James Drummond, F.L.S., F.Z.S. JTOR YEARS Mr H. C. Belcher, Eltham district, Taranaki, has planted many species of trees that provide food for tuis and bellbirds, and has given them diluted honey in tins placed in their favourite trees. He is gratified to find that those birds are becoming much more plentiful in his district. His brother watched a tui feed its young. He had just filled a small tin with honey and water when the adult tui came to the tin to sip the liquor. It took six deep gulps and then flew to a tree close by. A young tui hopped down from higher branches, and the adult poured the liquor from its mouth into the young one’s mouth. Twice this season Mr H. C. Belcher found tuis’ nests with eggs in them. In both cases the eggs were destroyed within a few days. He believes that stoats and halfwild cats are the native birds’ greatest enemies. He is surprised that the birds survive, not to mention increase. He recently saw and heard a North Island crow not far from his property, an unusual experience in that part. According to Mr W. R. B. Oliver, Director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington, this handsome bird, wearing bright blue wattles like earornaments, is now found in only a few places in the middle and northern portions of the North Island.