THE SHINING CUCKOO

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 86, 8 October 1931, Page 21

THE SHINING CUCKOO

THEORY OF MIGRATION Although the shining cuckoo, well known as a harbinger of spring, is commonly stated to be a migratory biid, one Auckland bird-lover, Dr. H. A. Chatfield, of Parnell, holds that probably it is not (states the "New Zealand Herald"). "Tho theory that the shining cuckoo is a migrant was first stated over 80 years ago,"' said Dr. , Chatfleld. "Naturalists seem to have goner on adopting it without any very reliable evidence..' The bird is found in New Zealand, on Norfolk and Lord Howq Islands, and in Queensland as far north as Gape York. So far as I have been able to learn, it has not been identified in New Guinea, from which it is said to migrate to this country. ( "It is quite possible that-the ancestors of this species of cuckoo led a migratory life between^ New Zealand and; North-oast Australia, when these were joined bY land, in tertiary times, but I believe" that the •' migrations ceased as' the land sank beneath the ocean. .-■■:!■■ ■ ; "The shining cuckoo is not well adapted for long flights over the sea. It cannot soar, like the godwit, and has a rapid wing-beat. Probably a bird, if blown out to sea, could cover 800 or 1000 miles in an emergency, but it would not be likely to attempt it as a'regular thing."" Dr. Chatfield considers that the appearance of *the shining cuckoo in .spring and its* disappearance later can be/quite simply explained. The bird is more often recognised by its call than seen. The call is a mating cry,; and therefore seasonal. Moreover, there is every reasori to think that , the bird, being'insectivorous, departs into the more or less remote native bush in winter in search of food and shelter, emerging for the [purpose of laying its eggs in the nests 'of other birds. As its plumage is very sober-coloured, and blends with the dark green of the forest, it would be hard to discover thoro in winter if anyone attempted to do so/ which iii th© ordinary course would be unlikely. So far Dr. Chatfield has not beard the shining cuckoo • this spring, but some -weeks-, ago,he distinctly ; heard the harsh cry of the long-tailed cuckoo hi the neighbourhood of Parnoll Park. This-'bird,' which is. riot commonly; found except in rather remote places, such as the, Urewera forests'and^the sanctuary at Lit'tlo Barrier Island; is believed with fairly, good reason to migrate yqarly from , Barotpnga and other islands to the north-east ofv New Zealand. ■ , , ' • ' "