"Odd `Korrumburras' dodge quickly about with cheerful hum.
Where they go, these busy buzzy flies, when the cold calls them away for their winter vac. is a mystery. Can they hibernate?
for they show themselves again at the first glint of the spring sun."
1888. W. L. Buller, `Birds of New Zealand,' vol. ii. p. 124:
[A full description.]
1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand,' p. 127:
"Kotukutuku. The fruit is called konini. A small and ornamental tree, ten to thirty feet high ... a durable timber... . The wood might be used as dye-stuff ... Its fruit is pleasant and forms principal food of the wood-pigeon."
(1) Locust-tree, Yellow Kowhai (Sophora tetraptera, Aiton, N.O. Leguminosae).
(2) Parrot-bill, Scarlet Kowhai (Clianthus puniceus, N.O. Leguminosae), or Kaka-bill (q.v.).
Variously spelt Kowai and Kohai, and corrupted into Goai (q.v.) by the settlers.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.
p. 58:
"The kohai too, a species of mimosa covered with bright yellow blossoms, abounds in such situations where the stunted growth is an almost unvarying sign of constant inundation."
[Mr. Wakefield was mistaken. The Kohai is not a mimosa.]
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 261:
"`Tis the Kowhai, that spendthrift so golden But its kinsman to Nature beholden, For raiment its beauty to fold in, Deep-dyed as of trogon or lory, How with parrot-bill fringes 'tis burning, One blood-red mound of glory!"
1873. `New Zealand Parliamentary Debates,' No. 16, p. 863:
"Kowai timber, thoroughly seasoned, used for fencing posts, would stand for twelve or fourteen years; while posts cut out of the same bush and used green would not last half the time."
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,' p. 146:
"The head of the straight-stemmed kowhai is already crowned with racemes of golden blossoms."
1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 131:
"Kowhai--a small or middling-sized tree... . Wood red, valuable for fencing, being highly durable ... used for piles in bridges, wharves, etc."
1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori,' p. 21:
"The dazzling points of morning's lances Waked the red kowhai's drops from sleep."
The name is the bird's note.
1820. `Grammar and Vocabulary of Language of New Zealand'
(Church Missionary Society), p. 170:
"Kuku, s. the cry of a pigeon."
1855. Rev. R. Taylor, `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 406:
"Family Columbidae--kereru, kukupa (kuku, Carpophaga Novae Zealandiae), the wood-pigeon. This is a very fine large bird, the size of a duck; the upper part of the breast green and gold, the lower a pure white, legs and bill red. It is a heavy flying bird, and very stupid, which makes it an easy prey to its enemies. The natives preserve large quantities in calabashes, taking out the bones; these are called kuku."
Ibid. p. 183:
"The pigeon bears two names--the kuku and kukupa, which are common to the isles."
1881. J. L. Campbell, `Poenamo,' p. 115:
"The kukupa ... was just the bird created expressly for the true cockney sportsman--the one after his heart ... for if not brought down by the first shot, why he only shakes his feathers and calmly waits to be shot at again!"
1883. F. S. Renwick, `Betrayed,' p. 45:
"The kuku, plaintive, wakes to mourn her mate."
There are numerous varieties. It should be added that it is doubtful whether it grows wild in New Zealand.
1773. Sydney Parkinson, `Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas' (see extract in `Transactions of New Zealand Institute,'
`Manibus Parkinsonibus Sacrum,' W. Colenso, vol. x. art. ix.
p. 124):
"Several canoes came alongside of the ship, of whom we got some fish, kumeras or sweet potatoes, and several other things."
1828. `Henry William Diarys' (in Life by Carleton), p. 69:
"Kumara had been planted over the whole plain."
1830. Ibid. p. 79:
"We passed over the hill, and found the assailants feasting on the kumara, or sweet potato, which they just pulled up from the garden at which they had landed."
1851. Mrs. Wilson, `New Zealand,' p. 49:
"He saw some fine peaches and kumaras or sweet potatoes."
1852. G. C. Mundy, `Our Antipodes,' c. xi. p. 273 (3rd edition, 1855)
"The kumara or sweet potato is a most useful root."