THE NOTORNIS HAS CHICKS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 512, 14 April 1949, Page 6

THE NOTORNIS HAS CHICKS

S Bs photographs which appear on this page and on the cover of this issue of "The Listener" are the first ever taken of a baby

notornis, and the first ever published. The photographer was

J. H.

SORENSEN

of Wellington, who will be remembered by many

readers for his natural history, studies, "Wild Life in the SubAntarctic," published serially in "The Listener" in 1946, Mr. Sorensen, who recently accompanied Dr. R. A. Falla and Dr. G. B. Orbell to the notornis country, brought back not only a unique series of photographs but a vivid account of the country in which they were taken. Part of his story appears below. The rest, along with more photographs, will be published in our next issue.

re-discovery of the notornis created a stir and fired the imaginations of many who were hitherto not in the least interested in ornithology. Now that the "tumult and shouting" have died away it may be appropriate to say a little more about the kind of country the bird occupies, some of its habits, and the chances of its existing in areas other than the one found. I was one of the privileged few who, through the courtesy of the Department of Internal Affairs and generosity of the original finder, Dr. Orbell, were allowed to make a trip into the mountains of west Te Anau and study at close range the takahe and its environment, I had just missed the original trip on which the birds were discovered, so the chance of going in search of the mystery bird at a pleasant time of the year and in congenial company seemed almost too good to be true. And them»came all the questions one asks oneself before undertaking a trip of this kind, The right clothing; what sleeping bag; what

cameras; what equipment for collecting plants and insects should I take? The trip was reputed to be a hard one and here was I, all too soft, after a year’s city life. However, things are seldom as bad as they seem at first glance and a dull cool morning in mid-January last saw me boarding the launch at Te Anau for the trip along the lake to the point where we would enter the bush on the western side. We were a cheerful and slightly excited company and there was much good-natured chaff concerning size of packs and individual tastes in clothing and equipment. Even the late arrival

of the member who was "not called early" could not dampen our spirits. An "Extra" Dr. Orbell and officers of_ Internal Affairs Department were already in the Takahe Valley, having made the trip earlier to establish the camp and transport some stores. I felt secretly glad that some, at least, of the stores were already carried in, for I had, as an extra, 14 pounds of wheat and maize in the bottom of my pack. This extra had been advised by an ornithological friend on the grounds that if the birds could be

induced to take such food it might help in keeping them out in the open for photography and general observations. The journey up the lake was made in good time and soon we were ashore and adjusting our packs in preparation for the climb which was reputed to take about four hours. The balance of the stores was distributed and, owing to the attacks of myriads of sandflies and mosquitoes, no time was lost in getting away. Our guide took the lead and off we went in high spirits. But alas for our four-hour trip! The stream which leaves the Takahe Valley disappears into limestone caverns at the bottom of a huge gorge and only reappears near Lake ‘Te Anau. Somewhere in‘the beech forest we crossed the hidden stream and, as we anticipated hearing it on our left after some hours of travelling, we kept bearing that way. Realisation that it must be far to our right only came when the day was far spent. Finally after many good-natured arguments and discussions we reached a huge limestone bluff and there lay the valley and camp some hundreds of feet below. A way was found down by retracing our steps

a little, and, after a plunge in the icy stream, we were soon enjoying the meal which had been awaiting us since midday. At Home With the Birds At last we were in the takahe country. Many people have asked my impressions of this isolated valley and to all my reply has been the same-it was just like being in another world. Had a moa walked out of the bush I would have been interested, but hardly surprised. Huge limestone cliffs rear up on either side of the entrance; the clear stream rushes down from the lake amid a tumble of huge boulders; the lonely little lake formed obviously by glacial action gin-clear at the sides, but dipping straight down farther out so that the great depth makes the water appear inky-black; the jagged peaks of the Murchison Range at the head of the valley; the glorious alpine vegetation, at its. best at this time of the year and hardly touched by deer; the flanking beech forest; the calling of keas; it was wild New Zealand at its best. Of course all-hands were keen to start the search for the birds. But Dr. Orbell, who was in charge of the expedition, decided that it was important that the birds be not alarmed and, in case there weré only a few of them present, the first chance of seeing them should go to those doing serious work. And so Dr. Orbell, Dr. Falla, and I left an envious but cheerful company at the camp and went up the lake side in the evening light. Success came almost immediately. Several birds were sighted and others heard, the deep throaty alarm call echoing eerily across the lake. We found, also, what we had not expected, a number of nests, and these were obviously fresh. This presented a puzzle. Did the nests belong to male birds, "squats" such as pukeko use? Had the birds not yet laid their egg or eggs? Were the nests tenanted by birds or chicks which had moved off at our approach? We had to leave the area owing to the failing light, but with the decision to return at daylight. Our news cheered those we had left waiting, and plans were made for the morrow. By the light of the fire pipes were smoked and tales told and retold. Then sleeping bags on top of several layers of beech twigs felt good after the toil and excitement of the day. Kiwis calling round the camp could not keep us awake for long. Our Takahe Chick All too soon it was daylight again and, grubby and stiff, the three of us were again among the birds in the wet tussock some two to three feet tall. A system of signals had been arranged so that any member could inform the others of what was found. We commenced a "beat" across the tussock slope on the side of the lake. My line of approach led me to a nest.I had discovered the night before and, as I drew near, I found that it was occupied by a sitting bird. The correct signals were given and we converged on the nest. Soon we were within a few feet and all three wondering just what to do next.

Should we attempt to catch the bird/or not? The question was solved when we were only two feet away by the sitting bird leaving the nest hurriedly and, to our intense surprise, out on our side came a young chick. This we did capture although, being so close and all so eager, we almost lost it in the tall tussock by getting in one another’s way.: And then occurred one of the most delightful happenings I have ever seen in all my study of birds. The chick protested vigorously and set up a shrill cheeping; the parent, which had disappeared, and could only be heard giving alarm signals at a distance, reappeared and circled us at close range. Hitherto the adult birds had shown a decided disinclination for human company, but maternal solicitude overcame all fear and gave us the opportunity to see the adult at close range and to take many pictures, both still and movie. Because this was the first takahe chick ever seen, at least by a pakeha, it was necessary to obtain sketches, photographs, colour notes, and measurements. We knew just how disappointed those at the camp would be at having. missed seeing a chick and, partly to let them see it but mainly because the measuring instruments were left behind in the morning rush, it was decided to take’ the little bird back with us. We reasoned that the parent would not desert the locality for several hours and so "junior" was carefully carried back to the camp, admired by all, had all necessary measurements taken, and was then placed in an empty carton ,whilst we breakfasted and told eA (To be continued)