Sydney Porter—Notes on New Zealand Birds 197


reader of this sketch has evolved an especially successful method

of handfeeding delicate young doves or of otherwise preventing

the starvation of half-grown young, I should be glad to receive

his suggestions as to methods, and kinds of feed employed. It is

interesting to observe the enthusiasm with which dealers and

breeders in this country assure prospective purchasers that doves

will breed freely, never even alluding to their habitual tendency

to let their young starve.


Los Angeles

18^ June, 1934.



NOTES ON NEW ZEALAND BIRDS


By Sydney Porter

(Continued from p. 145)


The Cormorants


Almost the whole of the entire surface from the water’s edge

to the tops of the highest mountains in the centre of the island

is upholstered with a covering of the densest virgin forest in all

its primeval glory. Giant ferns and mosses reach perfection

under the shade of the forest giants and one’s feet sink down in

the soft damp humus of untold centuries. The whole island is

indented with vast bays and inlets reaching many miles into the

island and resembling great inland lakes. One threads one’s way

in a yacht or launch through a maze of forest-covered islands,

each one a jew^el of sub-tropical scenery, through narrow sounds

and creeks over still translucent green waters to the heads of the

amazingly beautiful fjords. All around are gradually sloping

mountains clothed from the water’s edge to the topmost summits

with the luxuriant forest. Hardly a vestige of rock or earth is

visible, for here Nature seems modest of showing her gaunt

nakedness.


One is awed by the deep still peace which has reigned

over these calm waters since the very beginning of time. Here

Penguins, Cormorants, Gulls, and seals fish and desport themselves

in the tranquil waters undisturbed and unafraid of man. The



