Doleful Songs.
Nature Notes.
By James Drummond. F.L.S.. F.Z.S. £JICADAS, often called locusts, usually sing merrily, or at least pleasantly, inducing in listeners a drowsy laziness. Mr G. V. Hudson, Wellington, listened to members of a New Zealand species that have a sad and feeble song. These aberrant players may be influenced by the fact that, unlike most members of this great stridulating family, they seek the shadows instead of the sunlight. Their disposition is not sunny and joyous; but on a particularly warm day, especially if the sun shines, their song is more rapid than usual, and their sadness becomes almost cheerful. The song of this doleful species seemed to Dr J. G. Myers to be more varied than the song of any other species. He heard in it almost a march-like rhythm. It lacked resonance, but had a muted quality. It is hardly audible to some people. The players, when performing, raise and lower their bodies. These movements synchronise with the rise and fall in pitch, and cause variations.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19340414.2.52
Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20280, 14 April 1934, Page 8
Word Count
171Doleful Songs. Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20280, 14 April 1934, Page 8
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