BIRDS PREDICTED THE WEATHER
Fifty years ago when exploring in the wild ranges of South Westland, states a contributor to "Forest and Bird," we found wx-ens and canaries most faithful and reliable forecasters of bad weather. They generally went ahout singly or in pairs, but before rain or bad stoims they collected flocks with much chatter. When on high country overlooking the low levels, we sometimes saw little flocks of canaries flying from the tree tops and. settling down again, twittering excitedly. This was a better warning of the approach of a ' storm than any bdjrometfljr. The •'birds were- always right, so we wisely took the warning seriously and' set about looking for a good shelter to weather it out. Another bird that helped us in this way was oui' old friend, the weka. Lilce all ibirds, they have an oil gland near the tail from which they draw oil with their .beaks and plaster it over their feathers. When the wekas got busy oiling their "beaks,- we got busy preparing for at storm. * j
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Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5303, 16 January 1947, Page 7
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175BIRDS PREDICTED THE WEATHER Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5303, 16 January 1947, Page 7
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