NATURE NOTES AUSTRALIAN SWAMP QUAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1933, Page 11

NATURE NOTES AUSTRALIAN SWAMP QUAIL

ALBATROSSES IN WAIRARAPA

(By R. H. D. Stiflolph, E.A.O.TT.)

On the occasion, of a recent visit to the Taraaaki district a species of quail was disturbed from the roadside at a place known as Tatu. The bird was-ac-companied, by a family party of five youngsters, which, although .comparatively small, were able to fly quite well. I A fleeting glimpse of another bird of the same species was obtained near Ngatimaru, some ;miles 'on the Stratford- side of AVhanganiomona. Tatu- is a settlement to the north of the magnificent Tangarakau Gorge. The bird-in question is the introduced Australian swamp quail, a species of which is more often than not wrongly reported as tBV native quail, which became extinct as far back as 1872 or thereabouts. though there is some general resemblance between the two birds, the Australian swamp quail > is: considerably smaller and the markings of its plumage differ. '■■ However, there appears ,to be no possibility of the New [Zealand quail surviving, since no specimen has been secured: for sixty years,' so that observers'can rest assured.thafc it is-the Australian-Species which is seen nowadays.'. In. fact, two-species of the Australian swamp quail or snpposed species, have been introduced into NewZealand; but it is impossible to distinguish the two- birds except in the hand. The second species'.or 'sub-species, •as some ornithologists iecognise it, is a nativeof Tasmania,; ani'the', only introduction ever made ,was in ~1869. Since then this bird has been'found in three localities, the Wairarapa L'alce, Pirongia (in the-Waikato);- andthe Bay- of Islands. The common.;species is fairly numerous in many parts of the North Island, particularly in the northern portion. ;- . ■ -' ; •■ ■;'.- ■ . ' •

Although liberated in the' South Island as well as-the North,, the swamp quail never succeeded in the South, where it is now practically unknown; The first introductions made-in-New: Zealand of this species: were -thosevin-, Canterbury. These were followed in later years with liberations in Southland and Otago,' but apparently none of these birds became established. In the North Island, how' ever, where the bird, was-turned out \ia the '■ Wellington and Auckland districts, it soon multiplied. At the present daj-it is scarce in the Wellington district, but becomes more numerous in the warmer iAucklahd and North Auckland districts. The swamp quail is.a pretty.little bird. jTtie male has the feathers oi the upper parts reddish brown on the sides and dull grey down the middle, with a few fine mottlings of black. The feathers on the underparts are buff, with greydown the centre. The sides of the throat and head are dull grey, and th» tail feathers are a uniform grey colour. In the case of the female the black markings and patches on the upper and underparts; are much coarser, and the shaft stripes are tnuch wider than those of the male bird, and-are pale bufi ia colour. "=*•> :.■

The site usually chosen by this quail for its nest is in thick vegetation, tha nest itself being placed in a slight hollow and lined with grass or other convenient material. From seven to twelve eggs form a clutch, and the colour varies considerably, sometimes \ being pure white, but generally finely, .freckled with' light brown. The eggs' of the extinct New Zealand quail, by the way .were brownish-white, with dark brown blotches and underlying pale ones all over. The eggs of the two species thus differ : considerably, and are a further guide as to the identity of the species, if this is ia question.

About the end.of January two albatrosses were found in the Wairarapa district, apparently driven inland by bad weather. In each case'the birds were young ones, clad in brown plumage with a white face, characteristic of'the immature, wandering albatross. One of these birds was found on a farm, property near Greytown, and was liberated again on the Buamahanga Eive'r, but it died two days later. The other bird was discovered at Kahutara, on the farm of Mr. E. Buick, who conveyed it to Maßterton. It showed no sign of any injury, but it refused to eat. The bird was later taken to Castlepoint and I liberated. Although comparatively, quiet when handled, it. occasionally made a noise resembling the blowing of bubbles in water, at the same time attempting, to peek .the intruder. About twelve .years ago-'two",wandering albatrosses in similar plumage were found in the Wairarapa district, one near Featherston and the other at Te Ore Ore, close to Masterton. These birds, however, perished, but the; skins ;have been preserved and mounted. THe:'nearest breeding place of the wandering albatross is at the Chatham'lslfinds, where it breeds on a group of toeks'known as the Sisters. Tie young birds, which are occasionally found in the . Wair,arapa, probably came from the .Chatliams. It' is not unusual for this speeiesjto be observed in Wellington Hartjour and'sometimes it approaches; quite cloie to_ the wharves and shipping.:•• These visitors, however, are almost invariably adult birds. The wandering albatross is fairly numerous around the coast, and can always T>e seen in Cook Strait. It enjoys a wide range over the southern oceans, south of latitude, 30 degrees.

Following on a heavy fall of snow at the end of last August, the pied f antails in the area around Master^on. appeared to have been killed out, as^from that time until the beginning of this-month there was no record of this species in the district affected by the sno^. However, several hay.c beenseeiKduring the past two or.tkree^weeks, and^these.birds have evidently moved into the area from neighbouring districts. The if antails perform a certain restricted-migration annually, and it, is'usual for them to appear around the town residences about this time. They were absent during the interval, however, from small patches of bush in which they are generally to'be found. :- - •.