The kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is a species of pigeon native to
New Zealand. Described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, it is a
large, conspicuous pigeon, up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and ranging
from 550 to 850 g (19 to 30 oz) in weight, with a white breast and
iridescent green–blue plumage. Kererū pairs are monogamous, breeding
over successive seasons and remaining together when not breeding. Found
in a variety of habitats across the country, the kererū feeds mainly on
fruits, as well as on leaves, buds and flowers. Its numbers have
declined since European colonisation and the arrival of invasive mammals
such as rats, stoats and possums, although its populations have recently
increased in suburban habitats. Considered a taonga (cultural treasure)
to the Māori people, the kererū was historically a major food source
in Māori culture. In 2018, it was designated Bird of the Year by the
New Zealand organisation Forest & Bird.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerer%C5%AB>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1674:
Charles II of England signed the Treaty of Westminster to end
the Third Anglo-Dutch War, confirming English and Dutch sovereignty over
New Netherland and Surinam, respectively.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Anglo-Dutch_War>
1942:
Second World War: In the largest attack mounted by a foreign
power against Australia, more than 240 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin,
Northern Territory (pictured).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Darwin>
2012:
Forty-four inmates died during a riot at a prison in Apodaca,
Mexico.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apodaca_prison_riot>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
rainmaker:
1. Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.
2. An African or Native American medicine man who seeks to induce rain
through performing rituals.
3. A person who seeks to induce rainfall through scientific methods,
such as cloud seeding.
4. (originally Canada, US, figuratively, informal) A person having the
ability to generate business, raise funds, or otherwise engineer success
for a company, organization, etc.
5. (baseball, informal) A batted ball that is hit very high into the
air.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rainmaker>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Art today can only be revolutionary, that is, it must aspire at
the complete and radical reconstruction of society, even if for no other
reason than to emancipate intellectual creation from the chains which
obstruct it and to allow all mankind to rise to the heights that only
geniuses could reach in the past.
--André Breton
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Breton>