MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1938, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

Ul NGA TUI. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Of all our indigenous birds, the tui is the most attractive, distinctive and best known. There are many ’’reasons for this, among them the white choker which gave it the name of parson bird. The Maori, who taught it to speak more freely in his own liquid tongue than we can in our difficult language, says its long recitals prompted them to compare it with the preacher. When an inquisitive pakeha questioned a Maori, the reply was frequently, “Ui nga tui” (“Ask the tuis”). This gentle touch of sarcasm gave rise to the absurd name conferred upon a small steamship and a great ocean steamer, “Wing, a Tui.” Both sound alike. The tui in his natural condition lives almost entirely upon honey from flowers in the season of blooming. Flax blossom is much favoured, and his active flitting from stem to stem, accompanied by his joyous notes, is ever a source of pleasure to those who love nature.

In the extensive flax swamps near the sea there is an unexplained mystery which prompts enquiry. When the tide is low, all honey birds retire to the bush, and not until the tide is high do they return to the luscious feast. Questioned concerning this, the Maori says: “The tui is not the only one who appreciates the korari reka (sweet flax flower), or who knows that the honey near the sea ebbs and flows with the tide. The Maori was taught this lesson by the tui. He too sucks honey at high tide.”

The tui, in his native tongue especially, speaks more freely and clearly than any other bird. There is a strange custom among those who teach the tui and the kaka to speak. Il is invariably done in sound of running water, preferably a high waterfall. In captivity the tui is subject to apoplectic fits. This is said to be due to solid food instead of liquid honey from flowers.