STRANGE BIRDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1923, Page 4

STRANGE BIRDS.

THE QUEST DISCOVERIES. 5 LONDON, Fell. S. At present all the queer birds, the volcanic and other rocks, the strange plants, and the remarkable sea creature* brought home in tlie little Quest are at the Driti-h .Museum of Natural History, South Kensington. The first rough survey reveals some most interesting points (writes "L. G. AI," in tlie "Daily .Mail ). Due is ;his: that with all the wealth of seabird life encountered, the outstanding ■liscovi'tv at present is in connexion with two land-birds. One, a kind of bunting to which the name of “Kowet* ia” lias been assigned, is established as forming a new genus. As it comes irom lonely Gough Island—more deso, late and distant titan Tristan da Cunlia —it is probable that the bird will remain in a class by itself—a small creature shaded from dark olive on the back to a faint primrose on (lie breast. Another, a kind of lim-h from Niglifigale Island, lias been "placed" as ■ dunging to a new species, and there is a question as to whether this, too, might mil lo he promoted to the more splendid honour of a new genus. For Hie sake of comparison, one of Die 50-vcars-old specimen finches from The Challenger e'noditmn v. as brought out and placed beside it at the museum. * Per half a eeiitiirv its colours were " mbonimil. ami a , r mil visitor might ■■ forgiven P lie eocf-ised the' fwo. Another hini. "(bi u-li fmind in Tris- ' n. I iiaeaessjl.li,, ami Nigllt ingale L lands. ! a - been I a ken out of its ea rT■! :T;| ssi lie" lie! a, , •‘ f, ireiglle v. M and 1 is been oLi cep with our own song- , brush and welcomed as one of Die -a111" race, ill-! as we miebl recognise ■'ll «'voi-scc- ",’Osin wlio has (level I'led ••f ■i■ i,■ i. i ■"•- en 1 ." The (luest. inrii"U l ■■ 11 \. ha ■ - -til'll a very curious litl' ’ e Hi: •" • . A vhel -r who vl-.ifed ('migh Is 1 ,0,| j.em I'c-porti'd Hie . is, „|- ■ ~.)■ tl-.-OS. The "■m die v' in i ! ,• Si-el ia enlv ulnd one of i bese, and (he ~L 1 wh,P...1 .lop-r we - nlv !-H miDI - -I from *Le (*-.. I e!i".,1,e,1 OnUlfi •’ . • -e.-T .i.iUseovelv'iT -.he •.■••gc—r«w