Cuckoos herald spring Bookshelf...

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 13

Cuckoos herald spring Bookshelf...

The Shining Cuckoo — Pipiwharauroa. The Long-tailed Cuckoo — Koekoea. “Coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee, coo-ee, tsee-oo” whistles the shining cuckoo. And when we hear its song we know that at last winter is over. Spring has come. Ail through spring and summer we will hear its merry whistle and, if we are lucky, we may see the bird as w-ell. Small as a sparrow, it has lovely green feathers with coppery glints, and its white underparts are barred in the same shining colours. The shining cuckoo is

an adventurous little bird. Every year it winters far away' across the Pacific Ocean in the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago. Then, each spring it migrates to New Zealand across a vast stretch of water.

Evidence suggests that the shining cuckoos do not break their long flight with rests at islands on the way. And they do not settle in the water, like

seabirds and waders. Trade winds might help them on the northward flight, but probably hinder them when they fly south. So, the birds’ flight to New Zealand is indeed an amazing one. Flying at least as far as 1287 km without a stop, and more likely 3218 km, their long journey is one of nature’s wonders. Although the first shining cuckoos may reach our shores as early as August, the main flocks arrive this month and in early October. The long-tailed cuckoos, which are much bigger birds, with brownish-red and white coloured feathers, also migrate in spring. They come from many islands in the Pacific. Listen for them at

night. They do not sing; they make harsh screeches. Both the shining and long-tailed cuckoos have a strange habit which they share with most cuckoos throughout the world. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and leave the foster parents to care for the young chicks. They usually lay one egg in each of a number of nests, and the shining cuckoo favours the nests of the grey warblers. The foster parents accept the young intruders and work hard to feed them. Let us welcome them this spring, like the Maoris who, in an old flute song, sang: O shining-cuckoo, cuckoo with a long tail, calling down to me your news of the spring, come close

Farmer, P.. “William and Mary; a story’’ — Atheneum. This fantasy has a magical quality. Mary is lonely but through her friendship with William she finds new meaning in life and they share together strange and bewitching adventures: (nine-13 years). Hoban. R., \“A bargain for Frances" — World's Work. A delightful and funny “I can read book.” Although Frances is tricked by her friend, she is able to teach her a lesson in friendship; (fiveeight years).

Langton, J., “Her Majesty, Grace Jones” — Harper. An American family *t.ory with many humorous incidents, ft is about a lively girl who imagines that she is a member of the British

royal family; (nine-12 years). Townsend, J. R.. “A wish for wings” — Heinemann. A convincing and lively historical story about a boy who helps the great Leonardo da Vinci in his attempt to make a flying machine; (eight-12 years). Walsh, J. P., “The dawnstone” — Hamilton. The exciting discovery of a stone-age axe leads Adam to a better understanding of the needs of an escaped gorilla. An unusual, entertaining, and wise story; (seven-11 years). Wildsmith. 8.. "The lazy bear” — Oxford. A lazy bear does not wish to pull his trolley uphill but his friends know how to deal with him. A happy story with delightful illustrations; (picturebook).