WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19966, 7 December 1926, Page 2

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

"Our Native Birds" was the subject of a lecture given by Mr W; Martin, B-Sc, last Thursday evening, to the W.E.A. Natural History Class, in the Upper Oliver Room, University Buildings. Mr Martin deplored the> depletion of our birds, many of which were once present in tens of thousands in the vicinity of Dunedin. This lamentable depletion had been caused mainly by the introduction of the rat, with its habit of robbing the nests. Opossums had, also done much in this way. while stoats and weasels were held responsible, for thinning out the swamp birds. Then, the destruction of the bush and the consequent scarcity of insects, sent the surviving birds to seek fresh haunts remote from civilisation. Although many cf our birds belonged to types found in other parts of the world, about one-third were distinctly peculiar to New Zealand, and these showed very unusual characteristics. Moas were the only known birds showing absolutely no trace of wings. Kiwis, besides having very rudimentary wings, differed irom other birds in several details of structure, and in having the nostrils'at the tip of the beak, they showed very acute senses of smell and of hearing, and had a primitive type of feather. In the huia, now almost extinct, the male and fermale had quite different kinds of beaks. The wry-billed plover was another unique specimen; the kakapo, usually thought to belong to the parrot family, seemed to show more of the characteristics oi the owl. Our migratory birds were, also, very interesting, and our songsters formed a goodly company. Mr Martin described and showed on the screen a great many of our land, and swamp dwellers. The usual outing on Saturday afternoon, which is a feature of this class, was a very enjoyable one for the weather permitted n long-deferred visit to the top of Flagstaff. _