NATURE STUDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1924, Page 16

NATURE STUDY.

NCfrES' AND COMMENTS.

(“Hon.”) The Waingongoro lias long been known to have been the haunt of the extinct inoa, and. many remains of the bird were found in the early days in this locality, revealing the fact that the birds at one time must have been fairly numerous in these parts. It is not generally known, .however, that at the same place there was first discovered, over 70 years ago, the fossil remains of another strange native bird that was thought at that time to be also extinct. It is called the Takalie. In- the valuable work issued by the late Captain T. W. Hutton and Mr. James Drummond, of Christchurch, entitled “The Animals of New Zealand,” a very interesting description is given of” this rare bird. Strange to say, about two years after the fossil remains of the Takahe were discovered a live specimen was discovered by the self-same discoverer, Mr. Manteli. Some sealers discovered tracks of a strange bird in the snow at Duck Cove, Resolution Island. Their dogs got on the scent of the bird and captured it alive, after a good chase. The bird, which is about the size of a turkey and flightless, put up a big fight with the dogs. After being kept alive for three days on board the schooner, it was killed and the skin sent to the Another specimen was some time later caught by the Maoris on Secretary Island. So far only four specimens have been obtained. Two are in the British Museum, one in the Dresden Museum, and another in the Dunedin Museum. It is described- as a large, heavy, and flightless rail, with riiassive red bill, and legs, and very handsome and striking plumage.

Thrushes and blackbirds are increasing in numbers year by year, and will often bring out two hatches in the same nest. The writer was lately shown the nest of a thrush in which a second brood of young ones had been hatched out in a boxtliorn hedge. These birds are; not easily thwarted in their activities during the breeding season. The nest referred to above had a narrow escape from destruction by fire, the owner of the fence having lit a bonfire for destroying rubbish. The flames leapt into the boxthorn and destroyed the green foliage, leaving the nest exposed. Nevertheless, Mistress Thrush considered this happening of minor importance, as after the first fledglings had taken their flight into the world she again laid in the same nest and brought out another brood.

There is a very fine collection of butterflies in. the Wellington Museum, and are to be found in a room specially set apart for keeping'' these insects. It contains a great number of varieties. The writer on one occasion was shown the collection, a lady attendant being in charge, who gave a very interesting description of >the different specimens,, their nomenclature and country of origin. The collecting and mounting of the large number; of butterflies must have entailed a great abrount of labour and expense.

A few weeks ago there appeared in the Nature Study columns a paragraph referring to the fact that a new species of pink kowliai had been found in the Waikato, and that a plant of the kind had been grown by Mrs. Limbrick, of Manaia; At the time the information was supplied to the writer he was inclined to discredit that it was a new species of sopliora or yellow species but a variety of clianthus, or kaka beak. Mrs. Limbrick has written correcting the error, and in her letter says: “Re your nature note about the ‘pink’ kowliai, I would like to explain that it is not a kowhai, at least it is not of the same genus as the yellow kowhai—Sophora tetraptera, of which there are several varieties, all yellow flowers. The new plant is a clianthus. and is a variety of clianthus puniceus —the red kaka beak, sometimes- called red . kowhai. The native name is kowhai-ngutu-kaka, meaning the par-rot-beaked kowhai. This is one of the most brilliant cf our native plants, and is widely cultivated in gardens, but is now- rarely found growing in its wild state. It was fairly common on the East Coast —Lake Waikarembana and. I believe, the Great Barrier Island. The new pink flowering clianthus was found about 50 miles from Napier, away up the Mohaka river, growing on the steep, precipitous banks of the river, one solitary plant, a mass of pink bloom. There were no other plants near, but some distance further on were one or two red kaka beaks. Some seed, cuttings, and flowers were picked and sent home. The cuttings were a failure. but the seeds grew, and so far eight pla-nts have bloomed, all coming true to the original pink. It is a beautiful thing, although I don’t know if it can lay claim to being even a new variety, as I believe there has to be some structural difference as well as difference of colour to constitute a variety. ’ ’

Quite a. good story of a cat appears in an exchange as follows; A cat that lias its home at a Dunedin hotel has travelled far. and, possibly, has seen strange things in'strange lands. Some time ago it disappeared, and for six months its whcreab-vv f s was accented as being the feline Valhalla; but one morning a plaintive “meow” was heard in the kitchen, and there was Tom. returned and kungry-looking. It was ascertained that in his wanderings he had found his way to a ship at the wharf, and, being made much cf, had decided to go on a cruise, which embraced America and England, as well as other places. But when his ship returned to port the cat lost no time in making for his shore home, and now, once again sleek and lazy, he is living the ideal life of contentment.

Aii investigation " the properties of t> i? essential oil of the New Zealand native tree, myoporum lactum, comnienlv known as the ngaio, is being made by Mr. 11. F. MeDowall, M.Sc, A.1.C., a New ZeZalander, who is now in London. Mr. MeDowall, who is a science graduate of the New Zealand University, resigned the John Edmond Fellowship in Chemistry, and left New Zealand with ti e object of gaining further research experience in the laboratories of University College. London. There he will work in the Ralph Foster laboratories which are reputed to be among the finest in the world, under Professor Gallic. His past work on the subject of the ngaio at Otago University has shown that the main constituent of the oil is of great chemical interest and of a type hitherto undescribed. Mr. MeDowall hopes during the course of his work to gain some knowledge of the real chemical structure of this compound.

A very rare bird—a kotulcu or white heron—visited Wanganui on Saturday, and was seen by a number of people, who stopped to gaze at the beautiful stranger, with its long slender neck and glorious white plumage. Mr. H. J. Duigan. writes to the Wanganui Herald as follows with reference to the bird’s visit: I was greatly interested to note that we had' been favoured with a visit from the kotulcu, and I trust this bird will not be interfered with in any way by a thoughtless individual, but given all the protection such a beautiful bird should receive. The kotulcu is a protected bird under “The Animals’ Protection and Game Act,” and anyone shooting or taking this bird is liable to be mulcted in a very - heavy penally. The white heron rarely visits these parts, but is a more frequent visitor to certain parts of the South Island. In fact, there is a Maori proverb applicable to the North Island—He kotuku rerenga talii (“rare as the kotuku.”) Whilst tlie kotuku’s plumage is. a snowy white, the bill is yellow, but there is a species in the Canterbury Museum with a black bill. The legs aie of a dark purple colour changing to light plum above the tarsal joint. The blue heron (Matulcutai) is frequently seen among the rocks of the Porirua Estuary, and also in the Wellington harbour at Kaiwarra and Ngahauranga and in other parts of the North Island! It is worth noting that the eastern godwit (lcuaka), which arrives on these shores from Siberia about mid-October may- be seen on the river foreshore just below Freeman E. Jackson and Co.’s wool store. This bird leaves Siberia about the beginning of August on its seasonal migration in search of a congenial climate, and leaves New Zealand shores again in April.

Iu certain weather conditions a number of common garden flowers glow or give out unusual flashes of light (writes S. Leonard Bastin in T. P. ’s and Ruasell’s Weekly). The first person to notice this interesting phenomenon was the daughter of the great Swedish naturalist, Linnaeus. . One close June evening when there was a tendency to thunder the child ran indoors to her father saying that a large patch of nasturtiums seemed to be on fire. Linnaeus was 1 not long in going out to see something which even his observant eye had hitherto.overlooked, and lost no time in communicating his observations to other botanists, who as opporunity offered, investigated fascinating problems. Some scientists were at first rather sceptical, thinking that the bght which was then to be seem on common flowers was the result of an optical illusion. Eventually it was proved bey nd all doubt that not only nasturtiums but other flowers as well emit light from their blossoms. The happening appears to be most common m the ease of plants with yellow or orange coloured flowers such as the common marigold, African marigold and nearly all kinds of sun flowers. Lu ruinous flowers have been noticed by reliable observers, in the case of a number of plants which bear red, white and mauve blossoms; Popies, roses, geraniums and. verbenas are mentioned as having been seen to glow more or less intensely. Where the flowers have been luminous the state of the atmosphere has also been the same—very warm and diy. Only at such times is it of any use searching for lightgiving flowers. Even to-day botanists are not unanimous as to the cause of light given out by flowers. N. Z. NATIVE BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY. To all students of nature in New Zealand, and more especially those who have taken an interest in the bird life of the Dominion, the disappearance, or at least the diminution in numbers of of the many different kinds of native birds has for a long time been all too evident, and largely as the result of introduced pests and the fast diminishing areas of bush, the once familiar members of New Zealand- fauna are greatly missed from their . natural abodes. A number of years ago the Government realised the need for saving the birds from extinction, and a number of reserves were set apart, and it is satisfactory to know that the birds have multiplied considerably in these sanctuaries. As a further aid to the protection of our bird life a society with lieadquaters at Wellington has been formed which is called the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society. Its objects are to advocate and obtain the efficient protection and preservation of our native bird life, unity of control of all wild life, and a bird day for our schools. In an appeal for support form the Prqss throughout the Dominion the hon. secretary, Captain E. V. Sanderson writes as follows:

“We knoAv there is yet very considerable ground to cover before matters are as they should be; but the outlook is very promising on the whole. Many islands are gazetted, including seven-teen-twenthieths of Stewart Island; but, as there are no caretakers on any sanctuaries with one or two exceptions, the results are negligible. So far as the mainland is concerned, the results of the united movement are excellent in some localities and nil in others. We have now arranged, however, to redouble our efforts, and trust you will be enabled to further the 'work. One at least of our stumbling blocks is the lack of administration of our conservation laws which are built on a weak system. We are, however, hopeful of suggesting a system which will absorb •ind ut Ise the existing one. All aeclim at'sation Societies will shortly be approached by a committee set up to endeavour to amicably discuss the matter. The most feasible course seems to be the appointing of a commission of about six gentlemen, skilled in conservation, to be in control of all matters apertaining thereto, with a chief game warden as administrative officer. The existing Societies can then continue to operate, but under this Board. Such an arrangement would probably be vastly more effective than the present disunited efforts, and be to the advantage of fishermen, sportsmen, agriculturists, bird lovers and the community in general.” } In furtherance of its efforts the committee has issued the following address to members of the Society, a large number of lovers of our bird life having .joined as subscribers to the official organ of the Society. The address is as-follows:

This society wishes to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by many in. furthering the objects wished to be achieved. The Press, several Government Departments, and a large number of lad ios and gentlemen have lent much valuable help. It is necessary, however, that the scope cf the movement amongst the public should be greatly extended, and with this aim in view we are appointing local representatives in many districts, and anticipate undertaking much more in the

illustrated lecture line! Some lectures have already be,en given by ladies and gentlemen in various centres, all of which been much appreciated and productive of great good. We find that all right-thinking people come on the side- of the movement when the matter is explained. Therefore you can help by forwarding a list of likely names and addresses even without subscription. We will do the rest. Nearly every individual has at least the spark of love of Nature in him, which is shown in his desire to get out into the open. This spark, often hidden through ignorance, can without much difficulty be fqnned into, flame. New Zealand’s present conservation methods, especially as regards administration, require vastly improving; and we are sure all will be glad when a better scheme can be formed. In the meantime, the question is much involved with Department jealousies, politics, interference by laymen, individual interests, non-, appreciation of scientific facts, and thoughtlessness, but we hope that in time all will work for the common good. In the meantime, our immediate aim is to get most of our outlying is-land-sanctuaries efficiently protected. Forgetting' them is only courting disaster. Greater attempted inroads from foreign and local collectors are anticipated as a result of the exhibition of birds at . Wembley, and for other reasons; therefore it behoves us to get our house in order. The shooting of pigeons is still rife in many districts, especially ;in outlying - parts, where the birds are most plentiful, and the present system of control is hopelessly inadequate to deal with the conservation of our native birds, game birds; and fish, or to hold in check the many imported pests which threaten to destroy our forests and be a very serious menace to our wellbeing. Owing to its position and other advantages, New Zealand should conserve its wild life as well as any other country in the world, and to do this would be a lasting credit and a future benefaction. Tlie cost would be infinitesimal in comparison with the value of the result, and it can and will be done if New Zealanders say they wish it; and if those who know yrill all help to influence the less wellinformed, then New Zealanders will surely give the word. Let us, therefore; push onwards with the work. So far the results have been beyond anticipations. The road is certainly hard, long, and beset with difficulties, but an. increased momentum will follow every individual effort, no matter how seemingly small. Please, help to influence others.