MUSICAL BIRDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 914, 6 March 1930, Page 6

MUSICAL BIRDS

SING SNATCHES OF MELODY HABITS OF TOMTITS The New Zealand grey warbler has been known to sing notes that were distinctly reminiscent of the opening bars of “Home, Sweet Home,” while a portion of the bellbird’s song resembles “The Campbells Are Coming.” This statement was made by Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, librarian of the Turnbull Library, Wellington, at the University College last evening. The notes of Isew Zealand birds differed from those of English birds, in that they were not disjointed but occurred in regular combinations, he said. At time snatches of actual melodies could be recognised. Birds were frequently observed singing in chorus, one acting as the leader. The tui and the bellbird, whose notes were very similar, had been known to sing duets together. It would be a pity if keas, which were unique, became extinct through the efforts of sheepfarmers. They did not do as much harm to sheep as was supposed. A peculiarity of tomtits was that none of them nested within 10 acres of another pair, and if one ventured into another’s territory it was immediately attacked by the rightful propertyholder. Several other birds were dealt with by Mr. Andersen, who illustrated his lecture by whistling the songs he had heard the birds sing.