at The SIGN of the HAND & PAW

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

at The SIGN of the HAND & PAW

Bush Lizards On Coronation day we went tor a picnic to Coe’s Ford. There the ground was fairly damp, and in many low-lying parts there were pools o% water. But that didn’t worry us, and we soon had our dinner cooked by our camp stove. Later on in the afternoon we went Into the bush. Just for curiosity’s sake we searched for grubs and signs of insect life. First we took the bark oft the pieces of wood lying about, but

Queer Tastes We have a calf that eats onions. She will eat as many as we like

there were only small jumpy insects behind them, so we did the same to another large log, and to our amazement, three lizards jumped out. Dad told us that the lizards had gone to sleep for the winter, and probably the bark under which they were sleeping was warm. This made us more enthusiastic, and we did the same to some more logs. Under one log I found a lizard six inches long. We put it into my brother’s case and took it to show mother. —’MATE ROSEMARY. 386 Gloucester street. Two Quail Two quail came to live in our orchard last year, and this year they had young ones. They are not very much afraid of us, and they are very interested in our kittens. The kittens creep up close, while the quails strut up and down clucking. I suppose each wonders what the other is. —KATHLEEN SHEAT, Brookside. Our Rabbits Not long ago my brother Paul was given two rabbits. We put them in a large box and gave them some thistles and clover. Paul was holding one of them, when it jumped out of his arms

to give her. She also likes orange skins very much. Our lamb has a liking for leaves. All the lower branches of the fruit trees are stripped of their leaves. A dog we used to have liked the white stem end of the cabbage. Does any other member own pets with queer tastes like these? —’MATE NATURE BUD. Waimate. I Say “Whoa!” I have a pony for my pet. I do not ride him in the wet. I give

him oats and carrots, too. He always stops when I say “Whoa.” —FALAISE DEANS, Homebush.

and scampered into the motor-shed. As there are a number of boxes and things there, we could not find it. But the next day, Paul caught it and put it back in the box. The one which has a white spot on its head is called Tookie, and the other one is called Jackie. —’MATE CLIFTON. A.8.H., P.8.H., L.8.H., A. 8., 35 St. James avenue, Papanui. The Starlings’ Treat Silly old starlings, one by one, Quarrelling over a big, dry bun. They like things that we dont eat. And think it such a lovely treat. —JOCELYN SHANN. 107 Merivale lane. A Tortoise-Shell Gat I have a tortoise-shell cat. Every morning, L give him a saucer of milk. Puss catches birds in the daytime and mice at night. —JOHN .WOODS, Clentul.

If our pets could speak our language, can you imagine what they would say to us? “You never take me for a walk,” Fido, the pup, might bark. Would pussy purr contentedly, “Before she goes to school, my little mistress always sees that I have a saucer of fresh milk?” Let us be kind to our dumb friends. Remember they depend upon us for protection. Here are some stories members have written.

A Baby Rabbit I once had a baby rabbit, I used to feed him with milk from a spoon, and he would lap it up very quickly. But one day he got out, and I never saw him again. —JOYCE CRAWFORD, Rolleston. My Little Black Gat

Once when I was sitting on the mat, I heard a mew from our 'little black cat, f I went to the door and brought him inside, And he played with me as he sat by my side. —SHIRLEY EVEREST, i Springston R.M.D. The Ka-Ka One day I saw a ka-ka. He was very pretty, and had a beak like a parrot’s. The back of the ka-ka was brown, and his breast was red. Very few ka-ka are seen in the bush to-day. They call out “ka-ka!” —’MATE CLEMATIS, Glentui.

Fluffy I have a little black kitten Fluffy. She has soft hair, and two# little green eyes which, twinkle ups at me when I play with her. Sh»; is a great favourite in the and always reminds me by mewing and purring, if I forget about heif saucer of milk. She is 10 week# old now, and full of mischief. —’MATE HEATHER BRAES*, ' Yaldhursl*, “I Call Him Beauty” Last Friday daddy brought mt home a dear wee pony. He is m

lovely glossy brown, anti is verjjj quiet. I ride him nearly all day. H call him Beauty, because I tninlffl he is a beauty. You would, toojj if you could see him. Daddy sayM when I learn to ride him very weifl I may ride in the show. —BEVERLEY AM YES, 1 Springbanb^ Bantam Chicks I have a bantam hen and ■ rooster. The hen sat on two eggaj and out came two little chicks When the mother calls the chick* for their food, the father calls them, too. It does sound funny to hea< them both calling at once. —GORDON WINTER, M.G., 230 North road, Papanu|( A Little Black Pup I have a little black pup. H* likes to play, and pretends to bit*|

me. His name is Stump. Puppjjj likes to run away with things. —ARNOLD WOODS, GlentuJ* The Birdies’ Nests j Have you ever stopped to wonder How the birds do build theig nests, So safe and warm and perfect, Wherein their wee ones rest. —’MATE DIMPLES, Lyndhursk; ’‘Come to my Parlour” To-day I heard a horrid buzzing noise, and on investigating I saw a v huge, ugly, black spider fighting a;, fly. The fly was struggling very,' hard, but it soon became the spider’s victim. Very quickly it was completely wrapped up in a fine web. The% spider then fastened the fly to body, and holding it steady by itSj right hind leg, quickly ran up the; wall. When it reached its nest it\ gently unfastened the fly from its, body and attached it securely to m web. It was interesting to see tha spider’s legs all working at once, and I was very surprised at the speed at which the creature worked, —’MATE SHAMROCK, 89 Blighs road, Papanuk*,