MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

BIRDS FOR FOOD. I Recorded by J.H.S.. oi Palmerston North. for the "Times-Age.”) In the attitude of the Maori or indeed that of the Pakeha from the pioneer days to now, the Tui was and is looked upon with affection. It is surprising therefore, to learn that they were snared in hundreds for food, and their skins for warm clothing. The flesh is indeed a rare delicacy. They are easily attracted by an imitative cry. and the real reason for their slaughter was a desperate hunger ol the Maori when other birds were scarce. A leaf held between the lips made the sound of a Tui in distress when they went to the rescue and were killed by the stroke of a hidden hand. Even the green Parokect was killed in the same way in seasons of famine. At the season of plenty the Kaka was caught at the rate of 100 a day by one hidden man with a snare on the end of a stick. A decoy bird is teased to give the cries of distress to which they readily responded.

The main source of birds for food was the Kereru (wood pigeon), said to be one of the largest and most beautiful of all pigeons in the world. The Maoris were very careful never to alarm these almost docile birds. Their white breasts were easily seen as they perched in the sun on the high branches. A stage was built where the hunter stood unseen, with a sharp 20 foot spear to pierce its breast and retrieve it without a flutter. Since guns came the birds are shy. The skins tanned with the sap of Hinau bark, were greatly prized and reserved for the use of Wahine Rangatira (wives of a chief). An interesting mystery of the Kereru is, that within a few minutes after death, its almost rainbow tinted plumage loses fully half its brilliance. At one season each year, their crops are filled with bitter Kowhai leaves when the flesh is most unsavoury and quite unfit for food.