THREE STUDENTS OF N.Z’S BIRD-LIFE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 19 September 1959, Page 3

THREE STUDENTS OF N.Z’S BIRD-LIFE

(Reviewed by

H.A.H.I.]

Bird Islands of New Zealand. By Major R. A. Wilson, D.S.O. Whitcombe and Tombs. 202 pp. Index. Fortunate is the man who finds a hobby in which he forgets himself altogether; and doubly fortunate is he when two or three of his closest friends wholeheartedly share this interest and enthusiasm. Edgar Stead, Major Geoffrey Buddle, and the author of this book were such: three musketeers of natural history sharing fellowship in a common interest in bird watching, and over the years in roughing it on many trips to remote parts of New Zealand in pursuit of their quest. The author’s trips with Edgar Stead were mostly to the islands around Stewart Island, and those with Major Buddle were mainly to the islands lying off the North Auckland coast. This lively book is dedicated by the author to his two friends, of whom in the first two chapters he has included biographies. Describing these trips in a chatty, matter-of-fact style, the book gives a series of pictures of diverse places from the furthest north Three Kings to the Snares and other islands of the sub-Antarctic. A naturalist’s comment enlivens the many topics included, from mutton-birding and white-baiting to lodal history, and a special feature of the book is a collection of oxjpr 90 excellent photographs taken on the various expeditions described in the narrative. Edgar Stead was indeed a remarkable man. He was an ornithologist of world-wide repute, and had he lived it was his intention to carry on with his life histories of New Zealand birds

until he had completed most of our indigenous species. He possessed a photographic memory and his knowledge of birds and their habits was as profound as his interest was fresh and infectious. He was also an authority on rhododendrons and azaleas, an expert at hybridising, and was at one time jtidge of rhododendrons at the Chelsea Flower Show. His garden at Ham was the mecca of rhododendron lovers not only of Christchurch but from all over the world. Major Buddle, on the other hand, was a retired Army officer whose interests were mostly concerned with photography; and what a patient and marvellous photographer he was! His one book, “Bird Secrets.” published posthumously, remains a delight to the eye and a fund of information.

In both cases the author of “Bird Islands of New Zealand” modestly describes himself as merely “the herfchman.” Wherever his friends’ quests lay, he accompanied them to contribute companionship —to the Gouland Downs for Kiwis, Arthur’s Pass for rock wrens, Westland for the black petrel and the white heron, Lake Heron for black teal, the Hollyford Valley for kakas, to the offshore islands of the far south seeking some special petrel, to the northern isles for gulls and other birds. Notwithstanding his modesty, this book reveals that Major Wilson is himself a naturalist of uncommon ability, deep understanding and wide reading, and there is no doubt that he was able to contribute knowledge as well as good fellowship on these expeditions. This is a book which will be enjoyed by a 'wide circle of readers. It is full of anecdotes, and the plain and ’ ungarnished way in which it is written is likely to appeal in such a way as to encourage others to carry on from the point at which Edgar Stead and his companions ceased.