. Mutton birds and other birds . the paths wereblocked with its immense vegetable marrow-likeleaves from amongst which aiose tall handsomeflower spikes, the purple inflorescence of whichwas just beginning to show. As had been anticipated after discovery ofrats, birds ])oth in numbers and species werescarce. Of^land birds, only Pigeon, Tui, Bell-bird, Parrakeet, Tit, and Fern Bird were to befound; the last-named very scarce, one pairnoticed but once, as they flew through the openbush high above the ground. Robins were neither heard nor seen, andindeed were not on the island. The Petrel tribehad
. Mutton birds and other birds . the paths wereblocked with its immense vegetable marrow-likeleaves from amongst which aiose tall handsomeflower spikes, the purple inflorescence of whichwas just beginning to show. As had been anticipated after discovery ofrats, birds ])oth in numbers and species werescarce. Of^land birds, only Pigeon, Tui, Bell-bird, Parrakeet, Tit, and Fern Bird were to befound; the last-named very scarce, one pairnoticed but once, as they flew through the openbush high above the ground. Robins were neither heard nor seen, andindeed were not on the island. The Petrel tribehad also suffered from the rats, for brokenremnants of egg shell were plentiful about theburrow mouths; l)ut we got Kuaka, Parara, TitiWainui, and Glutton Bird. About our landing-place and not far from thehut were several pair of Sea Hawk. The nest ofone of these pairs I found in sparse wiry turfamongst the rocks, shaped smooth, close pressed,and ready for eggs. The anger and anxiety-displayed by this Skua were surprising, for most. AND OTHER BIRDS 33 species leave empty nests to chance. I wasamazed, too, at the toleration displayed by thebirds towaids other members of the breed,haunting tlieir neighbourhood. One of the iDleasures of an acqiuiintance withbirds is certainly the complete originality in thelial)its and character of every species. The Sea Hawk devours immature Parara,Titi Wainui, and full-grown Kuaka, andmaybe the supply is felt to be so greatthat there is no more occasion for strifeover meat, than amongst dogs for strife overwater. The ocean tracts, furthermore, may beconsidered too vast to parcel into lots. There isroom for all—enough and to spare. I suspect,moreover, that Skuas sometimes combine inchase, and may have—nay, must have—enoughof virtue to share in some degree the commonbag, and for these reasons the bird may havelearned toleration of his fellows. Harriers, congregated in twos and threes, I have often watched hunting Pukeko during thewinter months;
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidmuttonbirdso, bookyear1914
