NATURE STUDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 October 1924, Page 15

NATURE STUDY.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. .(“ Hori. ’ ’), - To the. peopje of Taranaki who are accustomed to view Mt. Egmont so often they are naturally inclined to give very little thought* to the glorious beauty of this majestic sentinel, which each year attracts tourists from near and: far.-. Like, many other tourist resorts in New Zealand sufficient attention is not given to advertise the wonderful attractions that are afforded by a- trip to. Dawson Falls through the beautiful forest reserve. If the Yankees possessed anything approaching it they would spend no end of money advertising the fact. Visitors from overseas who view these attractions fpr the first time usually make the remark that New Zealand is a long way behind in giving publicity to its tourist resorts. A visitor from Canterbury who was here about July and saw Egmont on a frosty morning from the high land out Arara.ta way, from which, it might be mentioned, no finer view may be obtained, said that it was worth coming all that wav to get such a glorious view as was afforded at that time of the year.

In the holiday season the hostel is generally taxed to its utmost, and more accommodation is necessary. To those who'desire a free and easy holiday, away* from the turmoil of business life, no better place could be wished for than Mt. Egmont. The exhilarating atmosphere of even a few days spent at. ~this high altitude is a wonderful tonic to r anyone engaged in business.

The writer remembers his first trip to Mt.-Egmont. It was away back in 1896. In those days the conditions associated with a journey to Dawson Palls were vastly different to the present. The road through the reserve was in places somewhat difficult of approach, and there were no motor cars fo allow of the journey being undertaken in about, a couple of hours. One had to, travel on : horseback. In places the road was ‘corduroyed, but the slower meang of transit which riding in those days entailed gave the visitor a better chance to view the, beautiful vegetation in which the reserve abounds. It was a somewhat laborious undertaking also, as tents to sleep in, cooking utensils, horse feed, etc., lmd to be transported. The tents were pitched near the falls. All night the roar of the water kept the party awake, a;, good deal, and the cold was pretty' severe. Several members; of the party sat around a log fire until the time came to prepare for the ascent.

Blackbirds geher a11y... choose a situatibn to huilcV their nests where they mdy not he easily observed, but about thfe- strangest imaginable for this, usually shy bird to build, a. nest was,'shown to- the writer the other day. In the oow-bhil of Mr J. Garnett, which is a eorrugated iron shed, a blackbird has built her nest on the top of a post within a foot or so of where the co\v places her head in the bail each time.-‘she is milked. r The bird is now sittings on her eggs, and«' so low down is tlfe nest buiit that if one so desired 'one eould place" a hand. her at almost any time. Mr Garnett shifted the nest on to a post a little further along, but evidently this did not agree with the blackbird’s way of thinking, for she transferred it again to the original position. . The bird was then allowed to’ have her own way, and now sitting on her eggs quite contented. - It will be interesting to, observe whether she will be successful in hatching the eggs, as there; is a danger of the cow when entering the “bail knocking the nest over.

It ig not often that magpies are seen in this district. Out. at Arnrata in one of the native sanctuaries there are a couple of these black and white birds, and they are said to resent strangers on occasion. The magpie is noted as a pugnacious bird, and in captivity has been: known to be somewhat dangerous, being able to give a severe bite with its shaTp beak. The birds referred to at Ararata recenltv chased two girls on horseback and somewhat scared the juveniles.

In confirmation of the vicious habits of the magpie it was stated at a meeting of members of the Masterton Acclimatisation Society that this bird 'should be. removed from the schedule of protected birds. A letter was received from the Wanganui Carrier Pigeon. Club stating that their birds had been badly knocked about by magpies. One member said the birds were vicious when other birds came near their nesting places. It was also the enemy of other birds, and should be shot without mercy. Another member described the bird under review as a butcher. The tui, it was mentioned, was of the same nature as the magpie, but if it came to a battle between the two birds the tui would be put out.

Recently a party from Hawera visited the Meremere district on a pighunting expedition. They got no pigs, but this disappointment was fully compensated for by the number of native birds encountered. The tui was greatly in evidence, and, what is more important, that once almost extinct whistler —the makomako —was seen and heard in all directions. That this beautiful specimen of New Zealand bird is once again establishing itself in the bush of the North Island is in evidence everywhere.. In the Auckland province frequent references are being made to the appearance of the makomako in places where it has never been seen beforehand ere long it is hoped (as in the days gone by) the towns will again be visited. Nothing would afford greater pleasure than to hear the makomako: holding concerts in our parks. The rising generation have something to look forward to.

A recent issue of the Nelson Mail states that the graceful feathery foliage and the gorgeous golden-yellow flowers of the kowliai in Mr Percy Adams’ grounds, “Melrose,” present a wonderful sight at the present time. In years gone by Mr Adams planned a very beautiful * garden fringed with native trees and ferns, and now each succeeding year sees greater growth and beauty. The kowhais particularly, of which there are hundreds in the belt of native shrubs and trees surrounding the five-acre block, stand out prominently, arresting the passer-by. And not only is there this beauty in the trees themselves. They have attracted "the songster of the New Zealand bush —the tui —in great numbers, and the rich, liquid notes can be heard to the heart ’s content. There is ample evidence that the native birds are on the increase, and if they can be attracted to the city’s environs in this way, Nelson is charms will be increased. Visitors to the Maitai specially note the presence

of the bell bird in increasing numbers. What Mr Adams has done is doubtless far beyond the reach of most citizens, but his is an example that should be followed as far as possible. In such ways many homes can be beautified and many eyesores in the town removed. The wonderful improvement at Anzae Park and the beautiful tree ferns in the Queen’s Gardens also afford examples of the benefits to be derived from the judicious planting of native trees, ferns, and shrubs.

Albino sparrows are not uncommon. An Oamaru resident has an albino blackbird at present nesting on his property.

There seems to be an epidemic of frogs in Feilding . (states the Star). At night- the roads appear to be infested with them, and on roads where the traffic is heavy the toll on their lives is great. The curious characteristic has been noticed in connection with frogs that, when approached bv a strong light, tjiev will sit, up on: their haunches, paw the air, and emit shrill hissing noises.

Everybody knows how insistent starlings are, when building their nests, on forcing their way into unlined houses and whares. . Lately in the country it has been discovered that these birds have been the cause of spreading a most irritating skin disease, and sev-er-ii people of both sexes who live in wliares in the country have suffered most acute discomfort through a parasite invading the walls and sleeping quarters of their homes (states the Auckland Star). A painful rash soon develops and spreads all’ over the skin. The pests are too small to be seen by the naked eye, and need to be put under the microscope to find out their true nature and the source from which they come. The strongest lime whitewash has been tried, but in many cases has not. freed the walls from the. pest. Many patients suffering from the irritation have come to the city for treatment, and confess that they can get rest neither day nor night, and feel a weakening of the system, which is most depressing. To burn the bedding and the whare itself is often the only cure.

A Hawera resident, who for some years past had been disturbed each spring by the noise which two starlings which had made their nest between the ceiling and the roof of his house, decided to block their means of ingress and egress this year. The birds had spent, a day or two in, carrying the material for ■ this year’s nest when the owner blocked tfrß opening with a lath. One bird, with straw in its beak, was greatly distressed when it found that it could not obtain admittance, and it made a great noise for a minute or so. It then flew off and returned in a few seconds with its mate. The two birds squaked and showed much perturbation for a few minutes, and apparently having “discussed” the position anil finding it hopeless flew off, and the owner has not seen either of them making any further attempt to get in to the snug nesting place which they had enjoyed for so long.

A blight that is affecting the. spruce firs is causing some anxiety throughout Otago and Southland. It is a little red mite that Weaves a mat over the leaves (states the Dunedin Star), Some people 'call it the red spider, but it is not the same red spider that molests strawberries. The pest appeared on the firs in Canterbury several years ago, at Otahuna and elsewhere, and after a time disappeared. It is hoped that Otago and Southland will be freed in the same way in due course.

Companies have recently been formed in England for the speeial purpose of rabbit-rearing. A short time ago one was registered in Suffolk, with a capital of £40,000, and the latest was with £IOOO capital, as “breeders of Angora and other kinds of rabbit for the production of their wool, skins, and flesh. ’ ’ Tlje importance of the Dunedin rabbit skin sales to the Dominion is now such as to make the rabbit a valuable item in the list of exports. Last year the trade was worth £11,748 as meat, and £472,491 as skins, or nearly half a million sterling.

A Palmerston North resident has in his yard a blackbird wKich is unusually tame. Recently he discovered a nest with a hen bird sitting on several young ones. He quietly parted the foliage and gently stroked the bird, finally removing it from the nest. It made no attempt to fly away, and on being replaced still sat unconcernedly. It had on several occasions since been handled by other members of the family. In view of the fact that the blackbird is, as a rule, very timid, this bird’s tameness is remarkable.

Fifty years ago, says the Manawatu Times, the blossoming of the kowliai in the Palmerston squares would have heralded the arrival of hundreds of bell birds, whose notes would have made music such as few living in New Zealand had heard. The same flower marked the time for the melting of snow by warm rains, followed by what are known to the old settlers, and Maori people as the kowhai floods, or “Nga waipuke kowhai.”

In last week’s notes reference was made to the motion of protest passed in the Legislative Council re the introduction of grouse and the planting of exotic plants in the Tongariro National Park. A further protest has appeared in the Auckland Herald over the signature of Mr J. Attwood. He writes as follows: “From time to time we have protests against the introduction of exotic plants and animals into this park. Such protests, whether based on sentiment, reason, or justice, go unheeded. Whatever defence there may be for the introduction of plants and animals into New Zealand cannot be applied to the particular region. The experiments might be of scientific, interest, or of sporting interest, but why choose this region above all others for the purpose? Allow me to say in conclusion that future generations will wonder at the obtuse wit of those of this generation who so deliberately broadcasted the reeds of a plant, which is destined, if left unchecked, to cover the whole of the sub-alpine region. Grouse will aid in the dissemin'atioh of the plant. This wonder will give place to indignation when they learn that it was complacently allowed. Rangers should be appointed, with power to destroy where and when possible any exotic wild plants or animals they find in the park. Prisoners should be put on immediately to eradicate as far as possible the heather.”

Found growing oh a slope of Mount Everest at a height of 20,000 feet, a rhododendron has been successfully transplanted to Kew Gardens, England. Until this specimen was found scientists believed that plant life could not exist at a greater height than 17,000 feet.

A wealthy American woman has had a great inspiration when thinking of a suitable memorial to her dead brother. She has given 20,000 acres of marsh land in Louisiana to the Audubon Society as a 'wild bird sanctuary. She has also set up a fund cut of which these marshes are. to be kept cultivated and seeded with plants such as ducks and other birds feed. on. This property is in the middle of the famous Gulf Coast gathering ground, where thousand? upon thousands of wild-fowl spend the winter. Owing to extensive reclamation during the last few years the birds have not been getting enough to eat, and have flown north in an emaciated condition in the spring.

Butterflies have - been a plague in parts of Italy. They came in such clouds as almost to shut out the daylight, and to stop trains, motor cars, and other vehicles.

One hundred cygnets have been hatched out cn the Thames this year. There are now about 500 swans oil the river.

A cuckoo is said to lay from five to eight eggs in a season, though more than one cuckoo’s egg is rarely found in any one nest.