70 MUTTON BIRDS 



foot hills. The breeds possessing a wider range 

 had altogether shifted their quarters, migrating 

 towards the coasts, the islands, and those more 

 fertile districts, where the most abundant food 

 supply was to be most easily secured. It was 

 therefore doubly interesting for me, who had 

 seen the birds during autumn in their uplands, 

 again to have intimate acquaintance with them 

 throughout the spring months, and about the 

 coasts and islands whither they had journeyed 

 for food. 



The climate of Stewart Island, though wet, 

 is very mild ; on the low lands and near the sea 

 frosts are unknown; and already in September 

 many of the coprosmas were in bloom, and the 

 fuchsia-blossom season at its height. On the 

 islets off the east coast the lemon-leafed matipo 

 was covered with flowers, and almost at sea-level 

 I noted in Paterson Inlet more than one grass 

 tree in blossom. In fact, the enormous coast 

 line and consequent absence of cold, produce in 

 Stewart Island an exceptionally early growth. 

 The fuchsias were now at their best, and the 

 nectar loving birds were taking full advantage 

 of the flower crop. The coastal woods were 

 thronged with birds; Tuis, Kakas, and Bell- 

 birds especially, were there in full enjoyment of 

 the nectar harvest. Perhaps the Tui may have 

 arrived first; he had, at any rate, been resident 

 long enough to have acquired, in his own opinion, 

 certain proprietary rights in particular fuchsia 

 bushes, and I judged him to be a freeholder by 

 the way he battled for private property. 



In these tree top encounters, the Kaka, the 

 larger bird, handicapped by the multiplicity 

 of the small, close fuchsia branchlets, and at- 

 tacked from beneath, was usually routed and 



