CHILDREN’S PAGE.

Forest and Bird, Issue 11, 1 October 1926, Page 8

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

(By R. A. Falla.)

PIWAKA, lIWAKA, AND WAIWAKA.

It was late in October before Mr. and Mrs. Fantail built a nest for their first family. They chose a slender kawakawa tree growing close to a stream and beside a sunlight opening in the bush. At the end of one branch was a fork of three short prongs, each capped with sheltering leaves. The foundation blocks were short chips of soft wood, pressed tightly into' the fork, and bound on with cobwebs. Then strands of thin wiry grass were used to begin the walls, and as these began to rise all the spaces were filled with moss. Both the birds were busy on this work for two days. They did not stop for regular meals, but at odd times snapped up insects which they found while gathering building material. Sometimes, after placing a thick lump of moss, Mr. Fantail would stop tO' admire the effect, cocking his head on one side, squeaking, and spreading his tail. But Mrs. Fantail pretended not to

notice, giving a detached chirp as if to say, “ Yes, it’s very nice, but standing and looking at it won’t finish the job.” Sohe obediently stopped singing and went off to look for some horsehair for the lining. This was put in just before the rim was rounded off, and, after each piece was set round, the birds, pushed it into place by sitting in the nest and working themselves round in a circle. The top rim was made strong and thick, and added firmness was given by the plastering of a sticky cement in weak places.

Although many fantails have four eggs in a nest, in this one only three were laid, and both birds took turns at sitting. W lien Mrs. Fantail had settled down, with her beak touching' one side of the rim and her long tail sticking out over the other, her mate went off to find food for himself and have some exercise. He obtained both at once, hawking about for tiny flies in the shafts of sunlight near the tree. In about ten minutes he could be heard announcing his return with rapid squeaks, ‘ Time’s up! Time’s up!” Mrs. Fantail began to raise herself slightly, and the moment he appeared on a twig above the nest she glided off for her meal and exercise, leaving him to take his place on the nest.

In due time there appeared three nestlings, Piwaka, Tiwaka, and Waiwaka. The old fantails were busier than ever,, obtaining supplies of food for five instead of two. Mr. Fantail, with a beak-full of insects, would arrive at the nest and pop a few into each open mouth, Mrs. Fantail arriving a moment afterwards to do the same. It was not long before the little wings and tails of the growing family were spreading over the sides of the nest, and their bodies were packed uncomfortably close. But still they opened their mouths and waited for food. One morning—they were always hungry in the morning—Mrs. Fantail brought a small grub and held it out of reach. The fledglings stretched and squeaked, but still she held it there, and Mr. Fantail stood by with more insects. At last Piwaka and Tiwaka struggled up, actually stood on the rim of the nest, and were rewarded with grubs. Waiwaka, finding suddenly that there was plenty of room, snuggled comfortably in the bottom of the nest and forgot for the moment that he was hungry.

The parents took no notice of him. They began to dash about in the air in front of Piwaka and Tiwaka, sometimes, stopping to hold out a tiny moth, then swallowing it themselves, and flitting backwards and forwards again. At last the

two youngsters began to become excited too. They stretched their wings, leaned forward, and half tumbled, half flew, on to a branch beneath, where the delighted parents fed them again and again.

Waiwaka was getting tired of the empty nest. He could see nothing of what was happening below, and at last climbed up to the rim and began to cry. Mrs. Fantail flew up to scold him, and Mr. Fantail could be seen leading Piwaka and Tiwaka from branch to branch, feeding them all the time. Grubs were offered to Waiwaka and then given to the others, but still he did not move. At last Mrs. Fantail flew towards him. Surely his breakfast was coming this time. No. She hit him fair and square, and he had to spread his lazy little wings as he tumbled down through the branches to the ground, where Mrs. Fantail was waiting. Then Waiwaka got his breakfast.