13

C.—6

List of the Indigenous Vascular Plants—continued.

APPENDIX D. KAPITI ISLAND. Keport op Caretaker (Mr. A. S. Wilkinson) for the Year ended 31st March, 1929. Ideal weather conditions prevailed almost throughout the past year, consequently the plant-life of the island shows good progress. This progress is particularly noticeable on the dry manuka ridges. All over the island, but particularly in that portion north of the waterfall ridge, the regeneration of the forest has been wonderful, and proves conclusively that when herbivorous animals are removed from native bush the plant-life soon reverts to its natural condition. South of the waterfall ridge, where sheep roamed until twelve months ago, the young growth has already made a good start. In the open places many valuable species are showing up. In the kohekohe bush at the south end the undergrowth is not so prominent, owing to the thick roof of the forest keeping out the light. On the western side of the island many plants of kowhai, ngaio, akeake, taupata, koromiko, and tauhinu are noticeable on the cliffs. These are best seen from a boat. Manuka is also creeping down the cliffs in many places, and will provide cover for other useful trees. Erosion has been responsible during the year for several large slips on the western side. The area of ground between Kahuoterangi and the boundary-fence, which a few years ago was nearly all grass, is now almost completely covered with manuka, among which growth is now making great headway. Plants of all the most useful species, such as houhou, horoeka, karamu, matipo, mahoe, and others are making splendid progress. On the Taepiro ridge, north of the valley of that name, which four years ago was absolutely bare, the undergrowth is now grown so much that it is almost impossible to traverse the ridge. Along this ridge is growing the beautiful Senicio Kirkii, covered with flowers, and presenting a most beautiful sight to the nature-lover. In the Taepiro Valley itself kotukutuku is growing all along the stream, and many other plants are helping to cover the grass, the most prominent being the whauwhaupaku (Nothopanax anomalum), manuka, mahoe, makomako, houhou, and horoeka. In the Kaiwharawhara, numerous young cabbage-trees are coming up. Along the shore on the eastern side of the island the taupata, one of our most useful trees, is rapidly re-establishing itself. So much are the berries of this plant sought after by the birds that it is impossible to collect any, because they are eaten as soon as they show colour. As the past season has been such a good one for the growth of plants it naturally follows that it has also been favourable for the birds, for the one depends upon the other. Bird-food was everywhere abundant. Karaka-berries made the trees look yellow with the load of fruit carried. The kohekohe. one of our best trees, as it flowers in winter when food is somewhat scarce, can now be seen with great bunches of grape-like berries hanging from the bare branches. This tree flowers in May and June, and during this time the tuis and the bell-birds, which come to our cottage for syrup, practically desert us for the nectar obtained from the flowers of this tree. When bell-birds are feeding on the flowers of the kohekohe they present a most beautiful and interesting sight. Dozens of them may be seen hanging upside down, sipping the nectar, while the bush resounds with the glorious notes of this famous songster. When the ngaio-berries were ripe, dozens of tuis frequented a patch of these trees just behind our cottage. A flock of starlings invaded their domain, but were soon chased out by the tuis. Starlings are becoming a pest on the island, both during the nesting season, when they make use of hollow trees for nesting-sites, and later when the berries are ripe. Most of the birds show a decided increase in numbers, the most noticeable being the North Island robin. It is not unusual to count a dozen of these birds during a walk to the summit of the island. The tieke, the birds that were transferred to Kapiti some years ago from one of the northern sanctuaries, seem to be doing all right. They were several times seen during the year. They are usually silent, or at least call -very seldom, for a great part of the year, so could be passed without being noticed.

Species, &o. Popular Name. Life-form. Remarks. Rubiaceae (Coprosma Family). Coprosma grandifolia (Hook. f. .. Kanono .. .. Tall much-branched shrub Only in rain-forest of with large leaves crater. lucida Forst. f. .. .. Karamu .. .. Tall much-branched shrub Common; leaves thicker than usual. Compositae (Daisy Family). Olearia furfuracea (A. Rich.) Akepiro .. .. Tall much-branched shrub Fairly common on upper Hook. f. with thick leaves part of the mountain; there are many dis- . . tinct forms. Celmisia longifolia Cass. .. Common celmisia .. Small tufted evergreen herb Apparently confined to side of track; very d rare. Brachyglottis repanda J. R. et G. Rangiora .. .. Tall much-branched shrubs Only in rain-forest of Forst. with large leaves tomen- crater. tose beneath