MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

THE DUCK TRIBE. i Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North. I for tin?' "Times-Age.") j Putangi tangi (loud cry) Paradiso duck is the handsomest of all the I known duck tribes. Unlike all other i birds and animals (except humans) the j lady duck is far more attractive than 1 the drake. Her plumage is marked with white and reddish brown; that of the male bird who is larger is almost black. These birds if not molested, are almost domesticated, but vandalism has driven them from many parts of the North Island to the Southern Mountain streams. Strangely enough for water fowl they nest in the tree tops for safety. The Maoris used to bring the eggs to our fowl yard to hatch, and then domesticated the ducklings. Still more strange the brood seldom included a drake. They would remain with us for about a year until some fine spring morning we would hear the humming sound of his Majesty s voice overhead, then the whole harem would, fly aloft for the first time ,and wo saw I them no more. Other New Zealanders are the Grey , Duck Parora (sound ol a storm >. the : Brown Duck Patake. the black Teal. • and the Blue Mountain Duck named Wiiio after the distinct whistle of ils| voice. I