The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-01-30

OF wings it has flippers (scaled) like a
seal. On land it stands as erect as q
soldier, but walks more awkwardly.
Great families Of them make their homes
on lonely rocks and bits OF land noun
tain tops that protrudo above the sur
face OF the sea. There they congregate
by the Thousands during brooding and
moultlng seasons, during tho latter Sea-
son standing around on some hilIock
like cholera fowls. In such isolated
places man can walk into their midst
and with short club Stay them after
the success of Samson. On lonely rocks
this 10 even true OF the winged birds
OF the deep, clubbing them ~ .
flock comes swooping down to inspect
you as something new upon the scene.
The TUT, or Parson bird, is indigenous
to New Zealand and nearby islands.
Az common AZ the wrens Of central
United States are they among tho bush
and gorgeous ferns OF tho south soa
islands. The name ia suggested from
the fact that while it is . jet black
with blush tinge on the wing tips,
there are two white feathers on the
under side Of the mock, ono laying each
way having the appearance ola white
necktie.
Along the shore from our camp to the
second tentacle or peninsula, protrud-
ing into the sea on our right, we found
one OF the abiding places Of the mutton
birds. They are among the protected
birds. All along they were the favorite
meat OF the Maories and now during
open season they feed upon them by
wholesale. The meat is tender and has
the taste OF fish. They live along shore
in holes burrowed deep in the ground
and it is here where the eggs are
deposited. A singular fact is that all
mutton birds lay their eggs on certain
day OF the year. A search for eggs the
day before would be Of no avail, and the
day following would be rewarded lib
orally. Mutton bird island is about
twenty-five miles south of here where
there is family of untold numbers.
The natives skin them and preserve
by placing them in bags made by split
ing open the sea weed growing along
the coast. There is a disinclination
to buy Of natives for the reason that
natives are consumptives and after the
bird is placed in the sea leaf bag,
they blow the bag full Of breath
and close the opening. The meat how
ever is real delicacy and is as pop
ular here as Okoboji frog legs are among
some Americans.
i A curiosity is the "Weka" (native)
hen. Like the slender beaked Kiwi. it
has not the vestige of wing. The
feathers are almost like hair. A laugh
able characteristic is it's forward way
with strangers. Its abnormal inuuis-
ltlveness reminds me of child who
would put it's hands in the fire to see
how it feels. They are found in heavy
underbrush and about accumulations of
old branches and logs. They make a
peculiar and shrill noise. Whistle at
them and they will at once begin to
work their way out into the path or
open space to see you and form your
acquaintance. With faces turned to
one side and upward their full black
eyes look up at you seemingly to say:
"You are something new" Approach
them and they will duck themselves
into the bush and seclude themselves
from your view. 1t does not last long
They are unable to endure either silence
or seclusion as long as you are about
They are as curious as women. They
are swift runners, but inquisitiveness
dooms them. Their cleverness is in
thleving. Their weakness is for some
thing bright such as diamonds or gold
watches, chains or charms. Like womer
in this respect. They have been known
to sneak into camps when the parties
were out and drag watch-chains and
T vests, and when found were still al
|
bush. Having learned native trick
once while on an exploit into the brusl
we attracted the attention of some
wekas, which Immediately began to cal
\ out at US. We were returning to the
camp and it was about ten o'clock a
night. The moon shone dimly through
the trees. l whistled gently. Mis-,
"Weka" slowly, stopping at intervals
came out into the path ahead. l stood
;, still and by degrees she came closer.
had previously prepared for such al
event by lacking red cloth to tel
foot pole and now shook it briskly at i
stepping slowly from it at the sam,
time. The bird advanced rapidly upo,
it's retreating enemy and began to figh
, the red rag vehemently Then one o
the party held out slowly another pol,
longer than mine with strong core
SliDSnOf lion IN tho anJ I'll.