BIRD-CATCHING PLANTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1954, 1 April 1885, Page 2

BIRD-CATCHING PLANTS

In the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," MrR. H, Govett gives some startling facts as to the bird-killing powers ofPisonia brunoniana,.or'P. Smclairii.. A sticky gum is'secreted by the carpels when they attain their full size, but is nearly as plentiful-in their unripe as in their ripe condition. Possibly attracted by the flies which embalm themselves in these sticky aeed-vesselß, birds alight on the brandies, and on one occasion two Silver-eyes (Zoßteros), and an English sparrow were found with their, wings bo riued that they' were 'unable, to flutter; Mr Govett's sisterj thinking to do a merciful act, collected all the fruit-bearin" branches within- her reach, and threw

thdni on a dust heap.' Next day about a dozen Silvor-eyes were/, found gluod to ; them, fouror fiveof the pods ; tp eaoh bird. She writes;—" Looking at the tree one > sees tufts of feathers and legs where' the ' birds have died, and I do not think they (the birds) could possibly get away with- \ out help, flie- black cat just livetjjKwler the tree, a good many of the bfrdjjjj&ing .'' to her share, but a good many 'pods get integer fur, and she has to come and get them digged out." In a note Mr T. ; Kirk says that Pisonia umbellifera, Seeman, P. Sinclairii, Hook, f., is found in several localities northof Whangarei, boti on tho East and West Coasts, also on vM Taranga Islands, Arid Island, Little* Barrier Island, and on the East Cape, l in the last locality planted by'tho Maories. The fruiting pericarp is remarkable, ior . its viscidity, which is usually' retpml for a considerable period after the'Ht is fully matured. It can be readily imagined that small birds tempted to feea on the seedß might easily become.glued to a cluster of ruits.