NATURE NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19799, 1 February 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

NATURE NOTES.

BTARLINQB. I have noticed all the starlings are coming in flocks to the hay paddocks. They scratch among the grass and eat seeds. If one files away the whole lot do. —Jean Lumsden (10). THE BTORM PETREL. The petrel Is a bird very like the seagull hut they fiy lower than seagulls do and go in flocks. They are very quiet, and come only when there Is a storm coming. They are nearly the same colour as seagulls only they have more white and have a longer beak. They squawk as they fly—Lorna Swann (1#). CHRYSANTHEMUMS. The chrysanthemums are propagated rrom offsets from old plants or from, cuttings, and gardeners will And that the latter give the best results. ir properly treated and well looked after, chrysanthemums will respond to the care, and the gardener will he proud or the beautiful, big, gorgeous coloured blooms which are the results of the care and attention bestowed upon them, or course, these plants must be well attended hut the results are worth-while. —Esther McGrail (II).

THE FLAX. The flax la a native plant or New Zealand. The Maoris used it for maklnr fishing 1 lines and flax kits. They make strong ropes and bridle reins out or It now. Much is sent to other countries. The plant grows anywhere and provides good shelter Tor cattle and sheep. The seed grows on the ends or the sticks. The sticks are very strong ror walking-sticki. —Charlie Swann (12). " THE ZEBRA. In size and shape he Is almost exactly like our mend the horse. Indeed, he, the horse and the ass really belong to the same family. it Is his colouring that distinguishes him rrom his cousins. Tor he Is brightly coloured—yellow and black In some cases and black and white In others. He Is round only in Africa, usually travelling in a big herd on the plains bordered by Jungle. Like the horse, he la a strict vegetarian, reeding only on the long grasses and the soft roots of certain shrubs. His greatest enemy is the Hon. the smaller wild cats finding hia flesh too tough and coarse. Twelve years is * good age Tor a zebra to live. —Joan Plummer (15).