WOMEN NATURALISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 87, 9 October 1935, Page 17

WOMEN NATURALISTS

WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

A correspondent writes as follows:— In the very interesting article m your issue of October 2 on 'Women mturaJjsts,' particularly in the department of ornithology, refereuce is made to many notable women ornithologists m the Homeland, as having rendered excellent service in this direction. Yet, while no New Zealand names are mentioned, it is gratifying to know that, in tins Dominion,.though we are sadly lacking in ouv legislation on the subject, we have many women naturalists, and bird lovers in particular, who havo made, and are still making, strenuous efforts to free and protect bird-life from the uncaring and thoughtless, and who have- given many years of thought and effort in the interest of the science of ornithology. ■ '

"Mrs. Perrine Moncrieff, of Nelson, a recognised ornithologist of note both in Australia and New Zealand, and the author of an excellent book on the subject, has spent^many years in the study of bird life in our native bush. Miss Fanny Richardson, of Wellington, is another earnest student, who has given many years to the study of our flora and fauna, and, who, as an artist, has depicted in colours both flora and birds of the Dominion, has given many' interesting talks on the wild life of our forests, mountains, and adjacent islands, and has laboured strenuously and persistently in seeking to obtain legislation for the protection of bird life against the catching, caging, and liming of our feathered friends. .

"Mrs. Norman Halcombe of New Plymouth, is another, ardent worker in the same direction.

"Miss Edith Lyttleton, the novelist, keen to see bird life treated with re-

verence, has sought in her writings and by personal, efforts to save our remaining birds. Miss Gow (Wellington), who, apart from her official capacity as secretary, of the New Zealand Forests and Bird Protection Society, is a fund of valuable knowledge on the subject,, and keen in upholding the rights of bird life; , .

"Many other names could .doubtless be mentioned of New Zealand women naturalists who, though they may not have contributed largely to our knowledge of the science of ornithology, are yet keenly interested in it, and are working strenuously with -a view to much needed legislation on the same lines as their sisters in other lands. It is earnestly hoped that their efforts may be crowned with success."