Deummond. — Little Barrier Bird-sanctuary . 501 



north-east of Auckland, in the mouth of the Hauraki Gulf. 

 Cape Rodney, the nearest mainland, is fifteen miles to the west, 

 and the Great Barrier is twelve miles to the south-east. Al- 

 though the island is only 10,000 acres in area, no human being 

 has crossed it. This is accounted for by its extremely rough 

 and rugged character, which adds to its suitableness for a bird- 

 sanctuary. 



I took an early opportunity of seeing the birds. There was 

 no difficulty in this respect whatever. Large numbers of them 

 came close to Mr. Shakespear's house, flying in his garden, and 

 making themselves quite at home. I had only to go outside 

 my tent to see scores of bell-birds, whiteheads, tuis, tomtits, 

 fantails, and other small species. They are not interfered 

 with in any way, and, as they have confidence in the members 

 of Mr. Shakespear's family, who are the only residents on the 

 island, they show no signs of fear. Guided by my observations, 

 I should say that the bell-bird (Anthornis melanura, the kori- 

 mako and makomako of the Maoris) is the most plentiful. It 

 is found in all parts of the island, and seems to be present in 

 countless numbers. The best feature of its presence is the 

 fact that it is increasing at a fairly rapid rate. Its nest is often 

 found in thick manuka and bush within fifty yards of Mr. Shake- 

 spear's house. Mr. Shakespear told me that in the previous 

 season a pair safely hatched out their brood in a clump of manuka 

 overshadowing the meat-safe, ten yards from the back door. 

 Twenty years ago Sir Walter Buller said that " it is only a ques- 

 tion of a few years and the sweet notes of this native songster 

 will cease to be heard in the grove, and naturalists, when com- 

 pelled to admit the fact, will be left to speculate and argue 

 as to the causes of its extinction." A visit to the Little Barrier 

 sanctuary shows that there are no grounds for adopting such 

 a pessimistic tone. If the bell-bird was chased entirely off 

 the -mainland — which is a remote probability according to re- 

 ports received lately — there is every likelihood that it will live 

 on the Little Barrier as long as the forest there is preserved 

 and the sacred character of the island is maintained. 



I saw the North Island robin (Miro australis) several times. 

 I was delighted with the little whitehead (Certhiparus albi- 

 capill is), another bird which the North Island claims as its 

 exclusive property. On the Little Barrier the whiteheads exist 

 in very large numbers. Scores of them came hopping and 

 flitting down to watch me make my way through the thick 

 manuka, and followed me as long as I remained in the manuka- 

 clad parts of the island. The whiteheads and the fantails 

 seem to be very friendly, and a flock of whiteheads may often 

 be seen accompanied by two or more fantails. 



