TUIS AND BELLBIRDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 6

TUIS AND BELLBIRDS

MANY OF THEM BREEDING IN WANGANUI GLORIOUS NOTES AT DAWN The bellbird, one of the greatest of feathered mimics, is increasing in the Wanganui district. So are tuis. These birds associate closely, and so adept has the bellbird become at mimicking the notes of the tui that it is im possible to tell from the sound which of the two birds is making it. An observer watched these birds during the week-end feeding on the honey of native flax growing in the Kaukatea Valley, Okoia. The flax, rated as having the richest honey producing flowers of the New Zealand forest, is blooming in profusion this season. In fact old residents say'that it is many years since so much bloom has been noticed on both flax and cabbage trees. The tuis and bellbirds are enjoying themselves as a result. Close Observations. Lying in long grass in a garden o, mingled native and European flowers it was interesting to watch the tuis and bellbirds make for the flax. The bellbird, about the size of a skylark, dark green in colour, made just the same notes as the bigger, tui, with iU coat of blue and green satin-like colourings, with white tuft under the neck, and, in some instances, white feathers across the back of the neck Once the bellbird had had its till of honey, however, which was round about evening, it was noticeable thas it ceased mimicking the tui and sounded the three oell-line notes which give it its name. People say that the old bell in. the Putikl church, a relic Oi the ancient mission days, was tuned to the scale of the bellbird. Heard from individual birds, the bell-like sound is unusual, but it is as nothing compared with the mingled notes of hundreds of these songsters. The best time to hear them is ai the peep of dawn. It really seems as though one of theii number, sentry-like, has kept watch throughout the night, listening intently, one supposes, to the mournful and dreaded call of "mo'poke,” "mo’poke," which haunts the valleys in the gloom. Just as light breaks in the east three notes from the sentry sound"ting, tong, tongue.” It is just like a bugle call to a sleeping camp. All the bellbirds answered ana, within a minute, the forest resounds to the merry tingling as of a thousand bells. Out of tune with one another, out of time, too, but always glorious in volume ano sweetness. New Zealanders who have not heard the flocks of bellbirds at dawn have a treat in store. Was Once Extinct. It is surprising to know that the bellbird was once deemed extinct in New Zealand. Certainly it entirely disappeared from Wanganui many yeais ago, and only since the war has it come back again. A few of these birds were discovered in the far north oi Auckland and some of them taken Lu Kapiti Island for sanctuary. From there they spread back to the mainland again, and, if the Kaukatea Valley is any guide, they are multiplying rapidly. Every patch of bush in that valley seems to have at least one bellbird, and it is well known that they find suitable surroundings at Virginia Lake, Wanganui. Some people even now are sceptical of there being any bellbirds at all, being deceived by their mimickry. In the middle day-time the notes made by tuis and bellbirds are identical, and, without actually seeing the birds, it is impossible to tell tnem apart. But, after hearing the chorus at dawn and actually watching both species feeding, it is established beyond doubt that the bellbirds are increasing, perhaps more than tuis. An observer noted more of the former birds t>>an the latter this week.