NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1931, Page 11

NATURE NOTES

yiSIT TO MOUNT HOLDSWORTH NATIVE BIRDS SCARCE (By E. H. D. Stidolpn, R.A.0.U.) Native birds did not appear to b« very numerous on the occasion of a visit last week-end to Mount Holdsworth, a peak in the Tararua Ranges, near Masterton. The day on which the ascent to the summit was made was beautifully fine, and the conditions seemed to be ideal for the purposes of bird observation, yet in the whole distance between the end of the road to the mountain hut, which is situated at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sealevel, only two or three species of bird* were noted. In fact, more kinds were seen from that portion of the track be* tween the hut and the summit. It is somewhat surprising to find more birds at higher altitudes at a time when the snow lies thickly pn the mountain top and when in consequence the cold must be more intense. In the subalpine bash, for instance,, the tomtit, an attractive little bird clad in black and white garb, evidently finds conditions to its liking, as it was heard there^merrily running through its notes. The tomtit was also recorded in the bush at the foot of the mountain, and occurs sparsely throughout, although it cannot be termed a common bird. Another species which seems to inhabit bush at varying altitudes is the grer warbler. This unobtrusive sombre-col-oured bird was likewise heard well u^. on the mountain-side, probably at nearly four thousand feet. It is only "m tiny and to all appearances a frail bird, and yet it is able to'■ fdssick' among the snow-laden bushes in search of insect food. ■ There is no. doubt that v many birds are at times of severe coldness frozen to death during the night. The writer has been assured of several occurrences of this kind in the bush on - the Southern Alps, in Canterbury. There is no record, however, Of such■'.. a happening in the Tararua Ranges. Nearly everyone knows the ground lark or New Zealand pipit, one of the most friendly of native birds. It is nearly always to be met with,on the, coast, where it-delights in searching among the debris or on the cliff sides for food. The river-bed wastes are also, favoured by this bird, bnt probably it is most abundant* in pastoral country. It appears to like human; company, as it is constantly to be seen flying just ahead of a traveller along a country road. As the pipit has such a large variety of country in which to take up its residence, it is somewhat surprising that some individuals, should select the * mountain top's., In spite of the snow practically covering the whole of Mount Holdaworth above the bush* line, the pipit was noted there as usual. It is nearly always to be met with on the open country of the mountain tops in the warmer months of the year, and is definitely known to breed there. Dr. J. 8. Myers, for instance, recorded a. nest found on the Tararua Range at an elevation of 4500 feet. It was built in the heart of a bush of astelia, and contained four eggs. "■" The question arises, does1 the pipit refeide permanently at such high altitudes! Is it possible for it to exist there when bleak southerly blizzards sweep the mountains? Or does it on, those occasions make its way to lower\ heights to ayoid the intense cold? On' Mount Holdsworth and doubtless on many other por•tionsof the Tararua Eanges it could 'very easily fly down the mountain to rocky hilltops, sparsely covered with scrub, and there take up its residence until conditions improved. The birds seen on Mount Holdsworth Slight frequent the higher slopes during"the day,, and resort to the shelter of the subalpine scrub 'for;the ■ n'ighfc Perhaps some trampers who are frequent visitors to the Tararuas "may."know- something of the bird's movements. .). The parrakeet is still to be met witi on Mount Holdsworth and other part* of the Tararua Eanges on the eastern side, but according to reports is hardly ever seen on the western side of the; mountains. Nevertheless, it'is decidedly rare, as it is unusual to note more than two or three during a day's tramp. Both the red-fronted and smaller y/el-low-fronted Species occur, but th« former is the more common of the two. On the occasion of: the visit to Mount Holdsworth last week-end a solitary, parakeet was noted on the .track to the mountain house, and judging by its call it was the red-fronted species. Som« years ago, when the writer was camped for a few days on Donnelly's Flat, both kinds of parrakeets visited the 'fuchsia trees growing there to feed on. the green berries. One particular tret alongside the tent always patronised by these birds, which came regularly every day. The scarcity of whitehead last week-end was somewhat notable, as usually this charming natiy« bird is heard in fair numbers on the mountain.. On this occasion it was heard once only, and that';at an altitude of about three thousand feet. Another bird which is of somewhat rqx« occurrence in the Tararuas on the eastern side, the tui, was .likewise heard once near the-mountain house. The tui seems to prefer the more optjn country of the Wairarapa Plains and East Coast district, and it is quite s*fe to say that there are more tuis in that part of the country than in the whole of the Tararua Ranges. It is pleasing to note that it has adapted itself well to the conditions of settlement. Three tuis visit a certain garden in Masterton to feed on sugar andVwater aid honey and water placed there-in; basins for their convenience.1 .'■:..; •-/. , '