MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

PUKEKO. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Pukeko is known to us as the Swamp Hen, irrespective of sex, and to science as Porphyric melanonotus. The long legs serve a double purpose, to escape an enemy on land and to seek food in shallow waters. It haunts the flax and raupo swamps, where it feeds on vegetable matter and insects. A most unusual feature is its habit of holding the food in its claw and eating like a parrot, the long leg producing queer antics. Its silence by day or night, in peace or danger protects it. and enables it to multiply while all other native birds are decreasing. .Rather unwieldy in shape or motion, but most beautiful of all our birds in plumage which was greatly used in the Maori feather mats, ear ornaments, and to adorn the Taiaha of the chief. The feathers of the back and neck are of dark blue, its breast of shining indigo, the lower parts and tail white. Part of the head and the legs a deep red, and the beak like ivory. The Maori loved to “Take a rise” out of a Pakeha, and when asked. by a Prime Minister as to the meaning of his home town Puke Kohe, said solemnly, “pukeko he —the wicked bird.”