BUSH AND BIRD NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 September 1936, Page 14

BUSH AND BIRD NOTES

ANNUAL COMPETITION THE CHILDREN’S DIARIES DAILY RECORDS OF NATURE The annual competition for the Nelson Bush and Bird Preservation Society’s Shield begins this month and should prove of unusual interest to those children who intend keeping diaries. Owing to the mild weather all Nature is well ahead. Not only are the spring colours particularly beautiful, washed by the recent rains, but flowers, trees, birds and insects are in the best condition to be observed. Details of the competition which are similar to last year can be had from the teachers of each school who have been circularised in the matter through the courtesy of the Nelson Education Board. The best diary secures the society’s shield for the school from whence came the diary (Pokororo is holding it at present) and the writer is rewarded by a book-prize. There is also a junior prize given for the best diary from those of ten and under the time of writing.

Every year the competition gains in popularity and it is anticipated that 1936 will be no exception to the rule. The diary may be written in an exercise book, is kept for a month and consists of daily records of any observation of Nature which has interested the child during the day. There is such a wide field to draw from that every student is bound to find something to record whether in town or country. Last year there were records of the weather, season, birds, trees, fishes, shells, matters of farm interest, insects, gardening, orchards, rivers, the mountains etc.

BIRD LIFE AT PRESENT Everything is very forward this year. At the time of writing clematis has flung her lace veil over town and country and gardens are gay with spring flowers. Only a few yards from the writer’s window a pair of fantails has built a unique nest consisting of shreds of gum-bark laboriously plucked by the pigmy architects and carefully secured in place by swathes of cobwebs. The hen is now brooding upon her eggs, whilst her mate, pied like herself, is flitting nearby. From ano'.her part of the city comes the news that Grey Warblers have reared a brood or two, Nature thus anticipating the construction of a second nest in time to meet the possible requirements of the Shining Cuckoo. This, wanderer from the

Solomon Islands is believed to have arrived as one was heard calling amongst the trees in the vicinity of the Fringe. Was he the only arrival? Or had a large party of Goldfinches returned about the same time, whither they are believed to repair in winter. Not only were the native birds singing their best but the air was filled with the warblings of these gay creatures, who were flitting in pairs amongst the trees on the edge of the forest, making no attempt to descend into the open grass country. So loud was their twittering that it was like being inside a bird exhibition.

From Tahuna comes the news . that the sands were visited by a party of Pied Stilts, birds which migrate hither from the North Island as soon as spring arrives, even as early as July, and when returning to their breeding haunts inland, often spend a few days in Nelson on their way through. It would be nice if these dainty waders with their stilt-like legs (hence their name) and pliant beaks which open scissor-wise to enable them to probe in the soft mud of tidal waters would remain in the neighbourhood. But these birds with a yap like a dog will probably not be allowed to wade peacefully along the sea-shore by the creatures whose voice they resemble. From Marlborough comes the news that an “out-size” in Blue Herons has decided to make his home up an inland river far from the sea. Our heron-tribe appear much on the move of late years seeing that in addition to the famous white herons which visited Appleby, one pays an annual visit to the Christchurch gardens. Here he leads a solitary existence much admired by the residents, one of whom wrote to say he had noticed that this bird never perches upon the tree-trunks but invariably settled amongst the foliage; which characteristic is shown by herons in all lands.

During the frosty weather this white heron, usually the picture of dignity, descended from the sublimp to the ridiculous when, not understanding the'nature of ice, which had covered his pool in the night, he endeavoured to walk thereon and proceeded to cut a number of ludicrous capers. The necessity of preserving these unique birds can be appreciated when it is understood that the small herony at Okarito is the only place in New Zealand where these stately cranes nest. When visited recently the sanctuary contained only two herons near the heronry, but, although it was the wrong season to find the creatures “at home” had the herony been a large one more would have been seen in the neighbourhood. Most birds fail to appreciate the nature of ice and glass, at the same time that the heron was slipping and sliding about, a Kingfisher was repeatedly diving out of a tree against the ice, being brought up with a thundering smack, until after a few attempts he desisted; being lucky to leave without dislocating his neck. In British newspapers there have been a number of letters asking why birds occasionally behave in a peculiar manner, suddenly flying against a window and tapping it wildly as if trying to get at something within. They will persist in their conduct sometimes for days although repeatedly chased off. Ornithologists say that the birds (usually sparrows in spring) believe the reflection to be an unwanted rival and decide to drive it away. The superstitious are more inclined to favour the explanation which states that the phenomenon only occurs in houses where there is about to be a bereavement. Confronted with a mirror most little birds afford much amusement by pecking at their ' own image, and running round to the back to see where the “other bird” has got to. Not all, however, are thus deceived, certain parrots, though showing temporary interest in the looking-glass, turn away almost immediately as if they knew that they were staring at their own picture. NEWS IN THE BIRD AND BUSH WORLD i Those who are anxious to preserve the beauties of Totaranui will be glad to know that the matter is still well to the fore. Those in authority realise the value of this forest, both as a botanical asset and as a “bird-larder” and it is believed that ways and means will be found of securing this forest for all time.

Nelson Province in the past has been one of the most prolific centres of bird-life in New Zealand. Not only have some of the most interesting native birds existed in her forests, but her shores have been visited by rare migrants. On her lakes waterfowl once abounded in large flocks, and at night the air was full of the calls of strange nocturnal groundbirds. It therefore would be of great interest to compile a complete list of 'every species known to have occurred in this province. This list would include for example the now-extinct Stephens Island Wren, and quite possibly the Notornis, whilst a number of Moas whose bones have been found in' caves are known to have roamed around.

Ornithological reports reveal that a number of species were made known to the world through having been collected by French explorers in Tasman Bay, and much of the information now contained in the works of Buffer, Dieffenbach and others was obtained in Nelson Province. These naturalists were assisted by very able observers as for instance the late Mr Brough, Mr Martin and others. The notes of Sir Edward Stafford and his contemporaries reveal the sudden disappearance of the native quail in spite of their efforts to protect them. In the reports of surveyors such as Charles Heaphy we glean amongst their descriptions of hitherto unexplored places in Nelson Province some interesting bird-observations. What splendid observers all these pioneer folk were! Travelling through the roughest of country, cold, hungry, and weary, they stiff had time to enter up some note upon the flora of fauna of the country.

Unfortunately many bird-observa-tions are hidden away in old letters and diaries or small booklets printed at the time and now little known. Some were not even written down but told to the family who just remember “father telling me years n g o . . But such observations

me all cl' great interest, not by themselves but collected into a whole. When this is done it will probably be found that Nelson can claim a greater list of birds than perhaps any other place in New Zealand and',doubtless much bird-lore if it only could be collected and brought to light. Such an attempt is being made by Mrs Moncrieff, “The Cliffs,” who would be glad to get into communication with any person who has any information to impart.