LITTLE BARRIER.

Forest and Bird, Issue 16, 1 November 1928, Page 9

LITTLE BARRIER.

Amongst the most successful bird sanctuaries in the world our own reserve of Little Barrier Island may be considered to hold a leading position. Guarded to a considerable extent by its isolated position, some 15 miles from the mainland, and cared for by an honest and interested curator this sanctuary holds premier position amongst our bird refuges. The wiles and bribes of collectors where rare birds are present are unavailing with regard to Little Barrier, and no opossum royalties tempt the self seeker in this direction because these animals are not present. The curator writes as follows with reference to the present condition of matters on this sanctuary which is controlled by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. Enhanced means of patrol, such as a launch, and the confining of all domestic animals in a fenced paddock, are items that may be suggested to further improve matters in connection with Little Barrier.

“You will be interested to know that the stitchbirds are in-

creasing on the island. One need not go very far into the bush before they are heard and seen. Once I was travelling in one of the gullies and in less than an hour I had located fifteen stitchbirds.

“For some months we have had large numbers of the native birds coming around the house, many feeding near the door, and even coming into the kitchen. There are several species: Tuis, bell-birds, wax-eyes, and kaka parrots. They were all very tame, especially the bell-birds. We fed them with last year’s jelly, bread crumbs, oatmeal porridge, and milk. The bell-birds come on to the table while we are taking food, hopping around picking up crumbs. In the morning, when I am draining the milk into the pails, the bell-birds sit along the rim trying to catch the milk as it flows in. The tuis are very fond of soft bread and milk. It is very interesting to see them, perhaps nine or ten, standing round the rim of a small bowl enjoying the soft food, while many of the bell-birds are feeding from another dish. The little waxeyes come around and get their share. They sometimes all feed together, but the tuis occasionally peck the bell-birds, but neither of them touch the wax-eyes.

“When the kakas (two) come down they claim the whole board. All the rest fly to the trees where they give us a charming concert. It is a real pleasure to listen. One of the kakas visits us every evening after dark as we leave a little soaked bread near the house. It is very amusing to hear it on the roof of the house, and we can hardly see it in the dark as it walks up and down on the ground. I don’t know how it sees in the dark so as to find its food. It is also very tame. A few weeks ago I was nearly shooting the kaka by mistake, I took it for a wild cat. I knew the cat was prowling near the house at night and I set to watch it. I tied a dead rat with wire to a kerosene tin so that a noise would be heard when the cat took it, then waited in the kitchen, with the door partly open. It was moonlight, and I could see the shadow of the tin at a distance. Waiting patiently for about an hour I saw an object moving, then heard the noise of the tin. I was just on the point of drawing the trigger when I discovered that it was the kaka parrot. The kaka seemed smaller and much darker. (I was unaware at this time of the kaka’s nocturnal habits.) However, I got the wild cat a few nights afterwards.”