NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 6

NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

INDOOR MEETING The fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin .Naturalists’ Field Club was held on Monday evening, the president (Mrs J. A. Moore) presiding over a good attendance of members. Mr S. V. Robertson, in a talk on the nesting habits of local birds, gave a large amount of information very useful to the bird student. He gave the month of nesting of each bird, and described the nests and localities in' which they were likelv to be seen. He suggested explanations lor certain peculiarities he had observed, and gave some good advice as to behaviour in the neighbourhood of birds and their nests. 'Miss 0. R. Cartwright spoke on * Insect Collecting for Amateurs.’ Insects, she stated in'the course of her talk, could be obtained by rearing them from eggs or from larva:, by netting, or by treacling. Treacling, or sugaring, is the process of smearing, towards evening, selected portions of suitable trees with a mixture of honey and rum, or sugar and stale beer, which has an attraction for nightflying insects. The insects caught by either method are transferred to a killing bottle—a wide-mouthed bottle containing cyanide of potassium under a layer of plaster of Paris, or crushed naphthaline, or crushed young laurel leaves. The dead insects, if lax, have next to be set by the use of a setting board. This process involves great care, as the wings and legs have to be fixed in the proper, natural position. Insects which have become stiff cannot be set in such a condition, but have to be relaxed by a process of damping. After some weeks on the setting board, the insects may be mounted and stored in tight boxes, with provision against mould and mites. Specimens of the articles used were on exhibition. Both speakers were accorded a vote of thanks. OUTING TO WAITATI. ■ On Saturday a bus load of members travelled to Waitati to be the guests of Mrs R. Sloan Rrowu at the charming Women’s Club cottage. Weather conditions ivere perfect throughout the afternoon, and the parly thoroughly eiijr!3 - c:i the run out and revelled—from an artistic point of view—in the mil scent of i&c gol'jcn yorse, 1

which was, however, much too abundant from a purely utilitarian point of view. During afternoon tea a cock chaffinch, resplendent in new spring attire of pink and blue, flew close for crumbs, but his sober-hued mate kept her distance. Members explored the bush at the rear of the premises, and, although stock had cleared out the undergrowth to a great extent, many beautiful ferns were seen, notably the rare carrot or parsley fern (Botrychium australe). Polystichum richarcli, with its metallic sheen, was abundant, so also was Asplenium hookerianum, a dainty maidenhairlike species. The hen and chickens fern (Asplenium bnlbiferum), the drooping spleenwort (Asplenium flaccidum), which hangs from tree trunks, the lance-shaped Blechnum lanceolatum, and the prickly shield fern (Polystichum vestitum) -were also noted. Poly podium diversifolium and Cyclophorus serpens were growing on tree trunks. Here and there were pretty rosettes of Plantago raoulii. On the trees grew many interesting lichens of red, green, brown, and black colours, and numerous epiphytes clustered upon the trunks of old gnarled broadleafs. One portly spider was discovered busily engaged near some silken egg-spheres, of varying ages, which were concealed in a hollow tree. The grassy-leaved orchid, Earina mucronata, was in bud, and two species of mistletoe were noted parasitic on several hosts, one being in bloom, its sweet-scented greenish little blossoms perfuming the air around. The lemonwood (Pittosporum cugenioides), which was in full bloom, also scented the air with its masses of yellow flowers. The fuchsia was flowering, and where the sun shone in sheltered clearings the manuka showed a sprinkle of white. In addition to the trees already mentioned there were also the mahoe, the pepper tree, the mapou, the marble-leaf tree, the kanuka, and species of coprosma. Lawyer, of two varieties, and -parsonsia, climbed some trees. Fungi were sparsely represented by an occasional red Secotium, a few Polyporus versicolor on dead wood, cramp balls, and orange Pezizro.

The harsh notes of a kingfisher were heard overhead, where ho perched on a dead limb, and warblers, waxeyes, and goldfinches were observed. Hawks hovered at a distance, while out in the bay gulls flew in small flocks. The hostess was thanked for her kindness in entertaining the party, another excellent view of the harbour was obtained on the return trip, and a most enjoyable outing ended. <