MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1938, Page 10

MAORI MEMORIES

BIRDS. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Kotare (fingfisher) silent and immovable for hours, perched on a branch above a lake or stream waiting for a fish or insect which it never misses in a flart like a gunshot. It has rare power of digestion, for it swallows its victims whole, including mice, bees, beetles, birds, fish and young chickens. Its plumage is darker blue than its English relative. The cry is harsh. The flesh is tough, mostly muscle and sinew, so it has few enemies. Tieki (saddle back) bluish-tinted plumage with jet black saddle across the back. The wings are small with only enough power of flight to jump from tree to tree. Its movements are constant and peculiar, hopping, leaping and half flying among the branches, seldom in the open. Its merry, cheery voice is unceasing. This publicity, and its poor flight, make it an easy prey, so it is quickly disappearing. The robin, of which there are four species, are friendly little fellows without a sight of fear. In the bushmen’s camps they pick vhe crumbs off lhe table while the men are at meals. It is one of our very best songsters, having a strong, clear voice for its size. It lives on insects and in the early days was credited with keeping vs clear of many pests. Two varieties are “all blacks,” while the other two have lighter breasts. Mohua (bush canary) has shrill harsh notes quite unlike the sweet tone ctf our English cage bird. The back and tail are brown, head and breast gold. It is not known in the North Island. It moves swiftly from place to place among the moss in search of insects.