The Weka 



N tlie wet, undrained lands 

 round about the lake are to be 

 found, the Swamp Rail and 

 the Marsh Rail, both species 

 quite rare, but noticed now 

 and again, especially after heavy floods, 

 when the birds are drowned out of their 

 seclusion. The Banded Rail is also a 

 rare bird with us, and is only ver}^ 

 occasionally flushed among the manuka 

 and fern growth of dryer situations. Our 

 fourth member of the Rail family, the 

 Weka, is common, and as he, too, is pro- 

 tected, many pair stop about the homestead. 

 In our garden during the winter months 

 often there are two or more couples, and 

 last year one particular bird would come 

 up for worms thrown to him, and take 

 quite a lively interest in gardening opera- 



