NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM. 
The Importance of N.Z. Birds, and some 
facts about their relations throughout 
the world. 
New Zealanders who are justly proud of their 
world-famous scenery, splendid shooting and fishing, 
ete., are perhaps a little inclined to under-rate the 
value of their birds. The majority of people might 
even think that were all the feathered denizens of 
the bush to disappear it would make no difference. 
New Zealand birds are, however, of supreme 
importance for two reasons— 
(a) Their utility ; 
(b) Their uniqueness. 
New Zealand is probably more dependent than 
any other country in the world on the propagation 
of her forest plants by means of birds. Mr. 
Atkinson recently found that the seeds of 65 per 
cent. of the forest plants and trees, including every 
single timber tree except the Kauri and Beeches, 
were dispersed solely by birds. Without their 
presence the Bush would be non-existent. This 
appears impossible, but it is absolutely true. 
Moreover, birds are our chief allies against insects. 
As Captain Sanderson recently stated, ‘‘It is con- 
sidered by many competent authorities that if all 
the birds were destroyed human life would become 
extinct owing to the enormous swarms of insects 
which, unchecked, would devastate the world.’’ The 
following examples taken from many will bear out 
the truth of this statement. 
B 
