MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

SMALL BIRDS.

(Recorded by J.H.S., o£ Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”)

The little stitch bird known to the Maori as Hihi (sun rays) is now found only on the lonely Little Barrier Island. There the conditions for its ultimate survival are not ideal, and the course of evolution and decay in bird life seems to be beyond the control of man.

Kotaretare (breathless digger) contracted to Kotare, is the name of the Kingfisher, though of brilliant colour it is not so attractive as its British cousin. It was a puzzle to pioneer boys whose playground lay between the river and the bush. Once numerous, now rare, these silent fishers would sit on a branch ten feet above the water for hours, making rapid dives and swallowing fish. They also live on bugs, beetles and flies.

Kokako the wattle crow, one species in each island, is of rare beauty, blue and grey, with bright orange wattles, and large eyes, with quite a look of intelligence in its erect carriage. Its splendid musical harmony is heard a mile away as it sings and whistles to its brooding mate on her nest. Matata (spear point) the lonely shy little fern bird with little power of wing, is often caught in the bracken fern fires, when the farmer seeks to clear his land. One species in the Chatham Islands and two here.