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J. Cassidy—A Chat about the Tui of New Zealand



A CHAT ABOUT THE TUI OF NEW ZEALAND


By James Cassidy


When visiting New Zealand the writer had the pleasure of hearing

some of the most delightful musical notes that have ever greeted

and gladdened the ear.


It was in a beautiful garden in Auckland, when the flax flowers

were in bloom that from the summit of the plants the Tuis sang,

inimitably. The song was composed of many and various musical notes

One leading expert gives as many as seventy variations. Its voice is

at its best in the happy breeding season.


Here is the account that Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, M.Sc., has of the bird,

which seems well worth quoting here and now:—The Tui

(.Prosthemadera nov&seelandias) is one of the most characteristic birds

of the New Zealand forest, not so much of the gloomy interior as the

upper lighted portion and the outskirts. Its station is among the tree-

tops, where the flowers and fruit are borne. When journeying from

place to place it usually flies at a considerable height and descends

suddenly to its destination. Its flight is particularly noisy and when

darting through the forest, or pursuing one another, Tuis pass, like a

flash, and disappear among the trees with a sound that earned for them

among sealers the soubriquet of ‘ Breaksea Devils ’. Breaksea being

one of the sounds resorted to by sealing gangs.”



The Character of the Tui


There is nothing of timidity or cowardice in the nature of the

Tui. It is bold and courageous and rather pugnacious, and in

Mr. Oliver’s opinion it may be these characteristics that have

challenged the Blackbirds and Starlings which have been known to

attack the Tuis in company, and the idea certainly seems practical

and altogether reasonable.


The Tuis may be said to “ meet the winter by avoiding it ”,

inasmuch as they often leave the forest and, flying far, settle in the



