BOOK OF THE WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 13 (Supplement)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

NEW ZEALAND’S BIRDS

(By

C.E.)

“New Zealand Birds,” by V. IL B. j Oliver: Fine Arts (N.Z.), Ltd., Wellington. As Director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington, Mr. W. B. B. Oliver, M.Se., is well-known by repute at any rate to every New Zealander who has an intelcst in natural history, and many moie. probably have some knowledge of him as an authority on birds. they will all welcome the remarkably fine book on birds which he has produced. For my own part 1 am especially pleased to have the opportunity of noticing it this week, for this is the first anniversary of this column. Twelve months ago I bemtn it With a review of an essentially New Zealand book—the Life of Sir Joseph Ward, by Mr. B. A. Loughnan. who is one of the oldest journalists in the Dominion—and it is gratifying to be able to begin the second year with another New Zealand production. Mr. Oliver was, 1 believe, born in Tasmania, but came to NeW Zealand when he was 12 or 13 years of age, and for a number of years has been regarded as one of our leading scientists. One has some little diffidence in discussing a scientist’s book in such a column as this, for obviously it must deal with many things that arc beyond the ken of.the average layman. Yet if there is one scientific subject more than another that can be'regarded as making a wide appeal it is the study of bird life. Few of us, especially in such a favourable place, as New Plymouth, with its many patches of beautiful forest,! can diseregard the birds we see around us. In my own case, if I may be more than usually personal, it is a great pleasure to bear the tui’s notes when I wake .in the mofning, to see a kingfisher sitting solemnly on a bough outside my window, to watch a flock of busy little silvereyes, or to admire the beauties of some of the introduced birds. To turn to Mr. Oliver’s book and read what; he has to say about any of them makes them far more interesting than they were before. Here let me'say that 1 wish he had discussed the habits of the birds in greater detail. He has, however, given an admirable summary in each case, and as his book runs to some 540 large pages it is really ungenerous to suggest that he might have done more. The author states in his preface that his work is intended to be “a handy., reference book to the birds of the Dominion” and to fill a gap in the ornithological literature of New Zealand. It is more than a guide to the identification of the species, and the author describes, it as “a concise summary of Avliat is! known about'our birds—recent, ■ oxtincbp keys l to their identification, also the chief references in literature to enable the student further to follow up the subject.” His object, he says, will have been achieved if “by the publication .of this book interest in the Dominion’s unique avifauna be increased, for it is thought that by the diffusion of knowledge the value of birds will be most appreciated and their preservation for the future made more certain.” Mr. Oliver’s fitness for his task is indicated by his treatment of the history of ornithological discovery i’ l New Zealand. Here he has condensed a comprehensive survey into a few pages, and yet seems to have omitted no important fact. The same facility in condensation is apparent throughout the book. Mr. Oliver has the knack of arraying the important facts in such a way as to endow them with emphasis and clearness, so that it is exceedingly easy to follow him. His little chapter on ecology —the relation between the structure or'habits of birds and their surroundings—is ah. impressive example of:, his method. Then he tells briefly of the geographical distribution of birds, and he discusses migration. There is a certainty of authority about his statements that makes them easy to read. No one who peruses this part of his book—his treatment of the general aspects of ornithology —will regard him as a forbidding scientist. His ideas arc expressed in such a way that everyone can understand them.

Two of the general aspects of the subject that are particularly well handled are “Changes in the fauna” and “Economic value of-birds;” In regard to the former Mr. Oliver says one must travel “well off the beateii track” to find a place where bird life in New Zealand is near its primitive condition. He gives five causes of the reduction in numbers of some species and the extinction of others, and in his comments on them one finds the sympathetic lover of birds very interesting. That birds do fine work in eating insects, cross-pollin-ating flowers and distributing seeds is generally known, but it is well to have these facts emphasised by an enthusiast. After explaining the classification of birds' and providing a key'to New Zealand orders —in this matter he shows a good deal of originality—Mr. Oliver proceeds to discuss the whole of the Dominion’s avifauna species by species. It is a tremendous task that he has undertaken, for he describes 300 species. A brief historical note in each case is followed by descriptions of birds and eggs and statements concerning the distribution and the habits of the species, and for the benefit of those who wish to pursue the subject references arc given to important books. One may gather most interesting information about the moas, the kiwis anil other extinct or vanishing species. One hopes that Mr. Oliver will some of these days be favoured with an opportunity to show that he is not unduly optimistic in saying that the huia “must be extremely rare.” After reading what he has to say about some of the apparently disappearing species one hopes that the efforts made by such enthusiasts as Air. Oliver may result in the rejuvenation of some of this country’s most remarkable birds.

“New Zealand Birds” is the first complete reference book that has been published, and quite the most important of its kind since the publication of Buller’s work nearly half a century ago. in most respects the book is worthy of its subject. It is very completely illustrated with reproductions of photographs and drawings, and a line feature is the inclusion of six colour plates, which contain beautiful representations of 23 different birds. These are the work of Miss L. A. Daff, who certainly is to be congratulated. The book is produced by a new publishing firm, Fine Arts (N.Z.), Ltd., and in general appearance is very creditable, the printing and binding being well done. One point, however, must be mentioned. In the introductory chapters I find evidence of inefficient proof-reading —some very.obvious “literals” and faulty punctuation. I can onlj' hope that the technical details have been read more closely, and that mention of the blemish will serve io impress ujam a new publishing firm the vital importance of correct reading.