C.—6

"Another plant that is making headway is the kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa). On the highest part of the island, just south of the trig.-station, the kamahi has filled up quite a gap. " The birds seem to have had a good season, and there are numerous young ones about. The weather was ideal for the majority to breed. " The white-fronted tern (Sterna striata), and red-billed gull (Larus novaekollandiae) again nested on the steep rocks at Paripatea, in spite of the fact that the nesting colony of these birds met with disaster there some two years ago. In October and November there must have been at least a hundred nests of the gulls and terns, and most of them were successful. Most of them were reared by the time the southerly gale swept away all trace of the colony late in December. A few belated individuals may have lost their eggs or young at this time. On Tokamapuna the black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus) had a great number of nests. A few of the white-fronted terns and red-billed gulls also nested on this small island. The other small island, Tahoramaurea, was also used as a nesting-place. Besides these places there were several colonies of terns and small gulls on the western side of Kapiti, and one large colony on the point near Okupe. " The black shag (Phalacrocorax carho) nested in the usual numbers on the high rocks between the south-west corner and the back of Maraetakaroro. The blue heron still nests in its usual places, except at Paripatea, from where it was chased away by terns. Neither of the two nesting-sitei of this bird at Paripatea has been used for the last two seasons, although the herons are about in that locality all through the year. " The bush birds seem to have had a fair season. Perhaps there are more young robins about than usual, and there are certainly plenty of young whiteheads. There were not nearly the same number of longtailed cuckoos as there have been in certain seasons. There were two young ones of this species about our cottage being fed by whiteheads. The longtailed cuckoos have left the island somewhat earlier this season than previously, and we saw very little of the shining cuckoo. It is usually quite plentiful in October, but was not so in 1933. " The robins are now to be seen in places where a few years ago there were none. This can be accounted for by the increase in numbers, and by the rapid increase of cover which has taken place. Our house robin still comes about, and occasionally comes inside the house. " Both tuis and korimakos have plenty of young ones. These species come to our house for syrup, and bring their young ones too. The young tuis have been learning to sing for the last fortnight. " Pigeons have been much in evidence since the karaka berries were ripe. The pair that nested near our house late last season and reared one young one still have it with them, although they are continually trying to chase it away. " A kohekohe tree, which for many years provided a nesting-hole for a morepork. until last season, when a kaka took charge of it, was not used this season by either bird. Kakas seem more numerous this year than during previous years. " The fantail, too, is much more plentiful than last year. " Tomtits do not seem to have been so successful this year. " Kiwis are numerous all about the damper parts of the sanctuary. I camped one night in the bush about two miles from my house, and heard them whistling throughout the night. None of the nesting-burrows known to me were used for nesting, although one had the appearance of having been used for a lodging-place. " Wekas are just as plentiful as ever. " I have not seen anything of the saddlebacks during the year. The pair that reared young at Kahikatea have evidently shifted to another part of the sanctuary. " Parakeets are more numerous this year, and young can be heard in most parts. The dearth of flax-seed was not to their liking, but there is plenty of grass seed to be had. " One pair of paradise ducks came home with nine young ones. Of the original eleven ducks that were brought, only four remain. All the rest have scattered along the beach of the mainland. " The grey ducks again reared young, and they, the young, too, have disappeared. " The trapper saw a kakapo in July. The bird was sitting on a leaning tree when first seen and scrambled down at once and disappeared amongst the undergrowth. " Mr. Webber told me that he had seen some grey terns with a yellow bill on his lake in July. From his description I think these birds were the black-fronted tern (CMidonias albistriata). " Two plants not hitherto recorded from Kapiti were found during the year —viz., Cotula minor, growing at the north end, and Pterostylis trullifolia, growing in manuka near Rangatira."

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given : printing (690 copies), £11.

Authority : G. H. Lohby, Government Printer, Wellington. —1934.

Price, 6Y/.J

8