KAPITI ISLAND.

Otaki Mail, 31 January 1923, Page 2

KAPITI ISLAND.

THE NATIVE BIRDS, RETORT PRESENTED TO NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. PROSPECTS lIOPEF UL. At yesterday ’s meeting of the New Zealand Institute the following report respecting bird life on Kapiti Island was presented: .Messrs Cf. H. M. McClure, W. H. Field, M.P.. K. Phillips Turner, and Professor H. R. Kirk visited the Island on March Imh and March 19th. After a fairly comprehensive inspection of the island it was evident that sheep were fairly numerous in all the open portions and to some extent were present in some of the bush-clad portions. At the northern end, where the Crown Lands abut on the native-owned portion of the island, and along the eastern coast and around Raugatira, the sheep Yvere nearly all shorn ones; but in the Taepiro clearing and from there to the southern end they were mostly wild sheep. In all, some 45 goats were seen, 20 of which were on the eastern coast of the island between the MaraeUkaroro stream and Wharekohu Bay. where there is practically no bush and where tauhiuu and manuka scrub is now growing on Yvhat was formerly open land in Daiithonia grass, A few were seen in the bush. It is not possible to make any useful estimate of the numbers on the island from the observations of so short a visit, nor does that greatly matter, seeing' that all are to be killed. As bearing, however, on the efficiency of the caretaker, it should be stated that many dead goats, or remains of (lend goats, were seen. These wore in very varied condition as to freshness, from goats killed within j week or so to skeletons and other remains of goals killed a year or more back. They were to be found in practically all parts visited, and often at a considerable distance from the track taken by most of the party; in oilier words, in positions such that the observation of them by members-of the party could have nothing to do with the route taken, in so far as that route was suggested by caretaker. We arc satisfied that the care-

takei lias not neglected this ditncuH part of his work. On the damage done by goals and sheep, there is no need that we should enlarge. The most curious indication of this is that, except in the denser bush there is never more than partial regeneration, and often there is degeneration that is obviously progressive. Many dead trees were seen, especially ratas; but in nearly all cases these trees were of greater height than the surrounding bush. and. it is probable that their death is due to the very windswept condition of the island; but it may be due to bacterial or fungoid disease. It is certainly not due to the presence of stock. No trace could bo found of injury to the bark, and many of them are still surrounded by bush too dense for stock to penetrate. These trees have been dead for many years. It will be remembered that Dr. Cockayne described them in his report presented to Parliament in 1907. The trees mostly in evidence are harnka. kokekohe, kawnfcatvn, ntah*e, ta Ml, rewarewa, torn, ngaio, porohaiv. hiri. kohepiro, rangiora, akeake, horeka, horopito, manuka; in the gullies, mamuku, punga, and nikau are fairly nu-

nierouc. In suitable places, birds were numerous, and the volume of song great and varied. Mukotnako, tuts and parakeet;-; v.ere abundant; very many white head-, were seen; fan.aJls. wrens, robins and •its were fairly numerous; wekas were -seen and heard everywhere. Few pigeons were seen. This is tied strange, neoifig tlia* the pigeon, like the kalra. irather ;< visitor to tht island than n permanent resident. Evert 50 years ago. although pigeons might be very nu-

ns-.rous on the island for a month or two iu each year, they pas-ed most or their time on the mainland. Among the parakeet- were several of the large Antipodes Islands special-', liberated ou Kupiti some years ago. The committee is satisfied jbat the caretaker is doing Lis work well, and that when the fence is erected and sheep arc- removed, the island will become a bird sanctuary in the proper sense of the term. The completion of

the work of exterminating goats cannot be achieved in a tew weeks, seeing how many places are neci-seiMe only with difficulty, but we think that withiff year goat* should •'«; very hard to tir.d. even if the last has r , h, y been killed. Me are of opinion fio’ tiic s.-rowf-r ; should, with the cons-eu; of the owner--, ' visit the .small inlands iiom time to 1 time-, and should leave no chance of ■rabbits remaining on them. Professor Kirk reported i J -. r ; SSth that the fence dividing the native lands from the rest of t? « miand had win .'.-rected by the fJoyi-rntSierit and the natives enIJH * heir beep from the Crow n H.'nd.c Tf Government hr. - proceeded rt-trrer- '■ ■ll h TO-'- l.i -tj- - - : :