NATURE STUDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 November 1924, Page 15

NATURE STUDY.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 1 ‘ ilori. ’ ’ Reference was made last week in the Star to the -excellent scheme that has Been inaugurated by the Education Board, in conjunction with the Forestry Department, in endeavouring' to foster amongst- the school children a desire to take an interest in forestry. An instance of what can be. achieyed in this connection was ' amply demonstrated at-the last Winter Show at Hawera. The handsome shield donated by Messrs Geo. Syme and Co. for competition amongst the Schools in the growing of trees gave an impetus to the idea, and for a first year’s, effort the result must have been gratifying to the promoters. It is to be hoped that much attention will be given to the growing of as many native trees as possible, and thereby ifieulcating in the-minds of the children a knowledge their own native flora. Exotic trees are all right for shelter in the towns, and it is a pity that so many of New Zealand’s trees are of tender habits. Yet it is surprising what can be achieved after sufficient shelter has been grown in the cultivation of native trees. In the Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, for instance, there are some very fine specimens of native trees. The stately rimus have done particularly well there, and near the lake two very fine -specimens of the puriri, one of our most beautiful trees, are growing to perfection. .In the front of the Courthouse in Hawera up till a few seasons ago two excellent specimens of the puriri graced the eye, but unfortunately a blight attacked them, and an experiment was made of cutting the trees baek in order to Save them from dying o.iit. It certainly for the time being robbed the trees of much of their beauty, but they seem to be ceiMng away again well, It might be mfentihiied in passing that the puriri produces the most valuable hardwood of ahy New Zealand tree. It is very define and heavy and exceedingly strong, though > difficiilt®to work oh account of the irregular grain. It is to be sincerely hoped that the efforts of the Forestry Department and the Education Board will meet with success, as it is all too evident that instruction in forer4ry hqs been neglected in the past, especially as gards our native flora. Outside' the karhka, toe kowhai, and perhaps a few others, the average New Zealander knows very little of the vast number of different species with which this land was so abundantly clothed at one time. A study might also be given to the medicinal properties of New Zealand’s trees. In the old days before the advent Of the pakelia the Maoris were acquainted with the curative properties of many of them, and they also procured a great deal of their food supply from the berries, etc. Take, for iriSthfiee, the Well-knoWn karaka tree, the most familiar probably of all the collection. The berries were gathered i 4 Mrge quantities in the old days when they Were green. As is not perhaps universally known, the inside kernel contains a - very bitter. . and virulent aikaibid, Which, on analysis, lias been found to be similar to prussic aeid. If the kernel of freshly picked berries is eaten violent convulsions follow, and,if death does not ensue it leaves the body iii the most fearful state of incurable distortion. It has been said to twist the head round.| The Maoris have a special way of treating it. They placed the berries in kits and allowed them to remain in running water for a considerable time, by- which means the poison disperses. Finally, when required to be eaten, the berries are allowed to steam an earthen oven, and then are very nutritious. In the East End Park *a large number of karakas have been grown and are doing well. The above illustration is, only one of many of the examples of instruction that might be given in the schools in conjunction with the planting operations. The School Journal also could give more attention to the subject. The writer, like most people, has ab ways had great respect for our native fantail. Wherever - a piece of native bush abounds there are generally found a few of these interesting members of our native fauna; They sometimes come into the towns and may be seen flitting about in a plantation. These little creatures will often follow a person for long distances through the bush, as if glad to have the company of the stranger. This may in all probability be their motive, as many naturalists contend, but from a personal close observation of their movements 'on various occasions the writer has come to the conclusion that it is in search of fdod that the fantail becomes so friendly. During a tramp through the undergrowth insect life is disturbed, and the fantail appears to watch eyery movement Whilst on the wing, and will daft very quickly at any insect that takes to flight. It is perhaps not generally known that these little - birds are protected. Nowadays we do not very often see the delightful little silver-eye in the townships as in years gone by. When food was scarce great numbers of tiiem would frequently be seen. They are very tame also, and did a great amount of good by devouring the green aphis from roses or the blight from fruit trees. When a boy the writer has captured many in a trap in the form of a basin and long string attached, food being placed under the basin. At times as many as a dozen have been caught at once. They were always liberated again unharmed. In reference to the extraordinary propensity of the starling for nesting in chimneys and other unusual places, a correspondent, tells us that starlings completely blocked a chimney twice, giving great trouble to clear. Four days after the clearance the birds had rebulit and begun to lay their eggs. Another local resident notes the trouble experienced with a letter box on the street gate. Each day the box was found stuffed with grass, straw and other refuse, in such quantity -that it seemed questionable if birds could do so much in the time. Apparently it was the work of starlings. 111 last week’s notes reference was made to the . short message appearing in the Press Association telegrams re the depredations of stoats and weasel? amongst lambs near Ohakune. A fuller account is contained in a recent issue of the New Zealand Herald, and demonstrates very forcifely how serious

the pest has become for fanners up north. Attacks oh lambs by stoats or weasels in the Rahgataua district, near Ohakune, appear to be serious. Mr Frederick Nicol, who, as already announced, reported the matter to the Agricultural Department, states that he has a fldek of 435 breeding ewes, and from that number lias now remaining not more than 150 lambs through the depredations of stoats. The number of lambs found dead With two small puhetui-es upon the flank behind the short rib has impressed Upon him the necessity of giving up sheep-breeding. The stoat, lie says, makes a puncture in the skin, and then gnaws its Way to the heart.. Although the punctures only appear small on the Outside, the skin is apparently stretched to take the head of the stoat as it works* its way to the heart. . Mr Nicol says that he has foUiid as many as 23 lambs dead in one morning round of his flock, and on one occasion he found 14 lambs within an area of a square chain, all bearing the same marks of attack. In every case he had found hairs from the fur of the stoat inside,the body of the lamb; “I have seen,” he continues, “stoats or weasels (I am not sure which is which), running away from the vicinity of dead iambs, and found carcases still warm. This has been going on right through the lambing season, and I have been afraid to do my docking on account of the blood attracting more vermin, They have apparently ceased their attack on niv stock during the. last few days, but have attacked my neighbour’s. I have fouild lambs as. heavy as 301 b. killed by these vermin.’’ Mr Nicol’s statement, together With a report by a doctor, Was sent to the Nfew Zealand Acclimatisation Societies by the Waimarino Acclimatisation Society. The New Zealand executive is anxious to obtain ail possible evidence from farmers regarding attacks 011 lambs by stoats or weasels, and aiiy evidence which may be forthcoming Will be received by Mr >S. G. Chambers, secretary of the . Auckland Acclimatisation Society, 23 street, Auckland. A resident of Tiitiafii who returned recently from Auckland brought With him some gall-infeeted speciments of wattle which he got in the North Auckland -district (states the Timaru Herald), Mr J. A. Campbell, Director of the Horticultural Division (Department of Agriculture), on being shoWn a sample' of the wattle, said: “These galls are caused by Uronycladium notabile (MeAlpine), one of the mst fungi whieh is becoming very common throughout the Auckland province, and undoubtedly is a grave menace to the wattle plantations there. So far as is known no research work has been carried out as, to methods of control, and I am therefore unable to suggest ahy satisfactory treatment.” The Fulmar petrel has given its blessing to the bird lovers. Off the Northumbrian coast are the Fame Islands, where sCa birds collect and wliefe, until recently, people collected the seabird’s eggs. They will do sb no more*, for the islands now belong to the National Trust\knd are to be preserved as a bird sanctuary for all time. As if ih recognition of this step tWo Fuhniii* petrels have "nested oh the islands, for the first time in recorded history; *)n fl L> previous appearance of the Fulmar in England, near Bemptoh Cliffs, in Yorkshire, the collectors heard of it and stole their eggs, so that the Fulmars did hot return. Less important than the Fulmar, but not less pleasing to Londoners, are the gulls, five of which have gone back already to Chelsea Reach. Two homing pigeons that had evidently lost their bearings “joined” the ferry steamer Maori on her arrival at Lyttelton the other day. With the careful attentions bestowed lipon them, they found life, aboard ship most congenial. Whether they have decided to adopt the ferry steamer as their future home or only until such time as they have recuperated from the trials associated with tlieir last flight remains to be seen (says the, Christchurch Sun). They left with the vessel, and are still with her. They have been honoured with the “freedom of the ship,” and perch at night above the doorwfiy of the captain’s cabin. A keen observer of nature reports that the Glencoe Bush, West Coast, just now is very beautiful With native blossoms. Chief, amongst them is the climbing clematis. Its vines may be seen running up trees as high as 40ft, and the trees are adorned with masses of clematis from top to bottom. Lawyers are in, abundant flower. The kowhai has been wonderful this season in the wealth of bloom. The mountain stream, a series'. of cascades, is admirable. While the scenery charms the eye, the, song of the iiative birds delights the ear. This is a beauty spot worthy of being made a sceuie reserve. Describing some rare birds of Australia, a writer in the Australasian says that a few birds found in the far east of Gippsland have not been seen in any other part of Victoria. Those of Which I have heard include two of the beautiful semi-tropicSl fruit pigeons and a large species of eiickoo variously known as the koel of Flinders cuckoo. The topknot pigeon is a fine, handsome bird, generally fawn grey ih colour, with a crest extending well behind the head, the upper part of whieh is of a chestnut cdlour. . Further north this pigeon, feeds largely on the seeds of the bungalow palm and the lilli-pilly, and these two trees are not uncommon as far west as the Snowy River. Some 45 years ago a small flock of topknot pigeons were seen about the Gippsland Lakes, but in recent years they have been more than once observed about Mallaeoota. The red-erowned fruit pigeon is a lovely bird, one of the gems of the family. On its head is a beautiful rose-red cap, the upper part of the bird is green in various' shades, but underneath from the throat to the tail is a succession of striking colour bands of pale grey mingled with green, magenta, deep orange, red and golden yellow. It migrates south from Cape York in summer, but very few of the travellers find their way to the southeast corner of the continuent. HIMALAYAN AZALEA. Spring, shunning long this mountain air, Worked swiftly when she came. That bush, last week as bare as death, Was tipped with rosy flame. On every twig a little torch, This morning; and to-night The torches curve to chalices Brimmed with celestial light. Airily roseate, in the mist, Persephone, what powers Are yours, from such dark wiry stems To draw such dawn-soft flowers! —Dorothea MacKellar. 1 Mount Macedoh.