The Hihi (Stitchbird)

"The Hihi" is a children's poem by Eileen Duggan, published in New Zealand Bird Songs in 1929.

The Hihi
“In the days when I was young,” said Topine Te Mamaku,

“Every little bough was bent with birds.”

Very old, very tired, was Topine Te Mamaku.

Hear his words.

“You have seen the Kahu Kiwi,

The down of the Kiwi,

On a rangatira, proud and bold.

But oh, had you seen the Kahu Hihi

Oh, had you seen the mat of gold!”

“It was like the western sky,” said Topine Te Mamaku

“It was like a kowhai burning on the tree.

For the down of the Hihi,” said Topine Te Mamaku

Is as yellow as the comb of the bee.”

“Ah, stately the Kiwi,

The down of the Kiwi,

Though its hue is dark, and dun and cold,

But oh, had you seen the Kahu Hihi.

Oh, had you seen the cloth of gold!”

“You will seldom see it now,” said Topine Te Mamaku

“It has dipped its little wings in the stain of the sky,

And its down is cloth of gold,” said Topine TeMamaku

With a sigh.

“You have seen the Kahu Kiwi,

The royal old Kiwi,

But there was a prouder mat of old.

Like the dust of the Flax-flower was the Kahu Hihi,

Oh, had you seen the cloak of gold!”