A BIRD OF GOOD OMEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2040, 11 October 1919, Page 2

A BIRD OF GOOD OMEN.

A strange visit or is in residence at Foxton —a while crane, which is being carefully watched and projected. Where they come from and where I hey go when they depart is a mailer of great interest, hut they are a very rare variety, and only a very few such visits have been made to New Zealand by this bird in recent years.

Col. Porter, C. 8., made to a Post reporter some interesting comments 'on the subject. The rarity of the while crane's visit to New Zealand, he said, has always received a marked note in the traditions of (heMaoris for several generations. Its' visit or flight is held to be a very favourable omen of good luck to any tribe, or district, or person. It was used as a special greeting of welcome to distinguished visitors, such as the Governor, whose visits to the Maoris are rare 1 . The rare visit of the while crane is perpetuated in the old Maori proverb, "He Kotuku rerenga tabi,” which, being translated, means: “‘The white crane, whose llight is seen once in a lifetime.” It may thus he regarded as a special and distinguished visitor to Foxton, and be welcomed as a bird of good omen., [The Kotuku is still with us. — 1 Ed.H.]