80



C. Barnby Smith — Notes on New Zealand Birds



the whole journey of four hours. Over a similar journey in England

one would, of course, have seen birds of many varieties in considerable

numbers.


If one takes a favourable position in the bush or manuka-scrub, or

amongst the fern or on the edge of cultivated lands, the result is just

as disappointing. Of course, there are still birds left in out-of-the-way

places, and some of them are very interesting. Off Cape Brett, for

instance, there are large numbers of Shags, Black-backed or Dominican

Gulls, Red-billed Gulls, Blue Herons, Terns, Gannets, Mutton Birds,

and many other kinds I did not know. At other points on the coast

there are long stretches without any bird-life whatever, except, perhaps,

an occasional Black-backed Gull or Shags. The Government make

some efforts to keep Shags within reasonable bounds as regards numbers,

but such efforts do not seem to meet with much success. To anyone

who has seen the birds on long stretches of New Zealand coast and then

turned to the water simply alive with fish, it is not surprising that

Shags find New Zealand a veritable paradise and multiply exceedingly.


One day I had an excellent view of a Blue Heron feeding. Instead

of standing patiently waiting in one spot, it walked rapidly about a

pool continually making stabs at the water and reminding me rather

of a somewhat active ibis. Although aware of my presence, it continued

to feed. The New Zealanders will insist on calling all Herons “ Cranes

The White Heron and White-fronted Heron are exceedingly rare. The

Bittern I only saw once. These birds are supposed to be protected,

but the feathers are much sought after for making trout flies, and the

Maoris (and, I fear, sometimes the whites), knowing the value of the

skins, do not fail to procure them.


The Swamp Hen or Pukeko (Porphyria melanotus) is said to

be common. I doubt it, as it is a very tame bird and the Maoris kill

it for food. I have repeatedly seen a few of the birds on different

occasions, and they present a quaint appearance amongst the flax

rushes, manuka, and other undergrowth. I never saw any other Rails,

and (except in the case of the Weka Rails) could scarcely find anyone

who had heard of even their existence.


I much wanted to see a Wrybill Plover, but never got the

opportunity. Nowadays they are said to be extremely rare. I,



