New Zealand Tui
Captain Cook while at Dusky Sound in 1773 on his second voyage wrote thus of the Tui. "Under its throat hang two little tufts of snow white feathers called poies, which being the Otaheitean word for ear-rings, occasioned our giving that name to the bird; which is not more remarkable for the beauty of its plumage than the sweetness of its note. The flesh is also most delicious and was the greatest luxury the wood afforded us".New Zealand Rata
Rata belong to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) which is made up of about 3000 different tropical and warm temperate trees, shrubs and vines. Eucalyptus, Feijoas, Cloves, Guavas and Bottlebrushes are a few family members.