MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 11

MAORI MEMORIES

KUAKA AND KOTUKU. I Recorded by of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Afie.”) The Kuaka (godwit) leaves the far north for Siberia, gathering in countless thousands at the end of March. The reason for this marvellous flight of 2000 miles is a mystery. It is not for want of food, of which we have rich stores of fish, fruits, and fresh foliage. In silence they circle in the air to ‘■feel the points of the compass,” then start due north at a rapid pace, followed by others at regularly intervals of an hour, each parly being about onethousand, until not a bird is left. They return in December almost unseen in straggling numbers. A few. probably, defective flyers, remain here each year and appear subdued. The Maoris catch them like fish by huge nets of Muka (dressed flax) along the sea shore. They are delicious, but not used by the pakeha, perhaps because the Maoris devour them even to the intestines with obvious relish. The Kotuku rerenga tahi (bird of a single flight), a beautiful snow white heron once said to be migratory, L' strangely allied to the mythical "stork," and is so regarded both by Maori and Pakeha women folk. It stands perfectly still in the stream or lake until a fish is within reach, the latter is seized by a lightning dart of the long neck and swallowed whole without any visible move of the body. By our gross indifference the Kotuku is about to join the ranks of the departed, as a memory of the past.