LECTURE ON BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1937, Page 16

LECTURE ON BIRDS

A very interesting-lecture on "The History and Uses of New Zealand Birds" was given by Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, curator of the Dominion Museum, in the Museum Hall'last night. Mr. Johannes C. Andersen presided. A description was given of the work of the first naturalists to visit' New Zealand, and slides were used to show the sometimes quaint drawings some of the early ornithologists made of the native birds. This was followed with films made by the Forestry Department depicting bird life in the Kermadecs, Little Barrier Island, and Kapiti and Auckland Islands. The expedition to the Little Barrier Island, in which Dr. Oliver took part, was able to secure some unusual films of the birds from very close range, including pictures ol the rare stitch-bird, which is now confined solely to this sanctuary. Coloured slides served to illustrate the manner in which the turiri, pohutukawa, mahoe, kowhai, and other trees were cross-fertilised by the birds. At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. Andersen said that the films were becoming a valuable help in interesting people in the natural wonders 'they were not able to go and see at firsthand. When colour photography and the use of the .microphone had been fully developed this interest would be widened The lecture was the first of a series to be held in the museum on similar topics. .