NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 23685, 19 September 1940, Page 3

NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

INTERESTING PAPERS , , . . , . . , i , Papers by three members provided a full and interesting programme for a good attendance of Field Club members ;»t the indoor meeting. Mrs Collier, irow resident in Blenheim, called her paper ‘ Nature Notes from Blenheim,’ and in it clearly revealed wliat a ’wealth of beauty and a store of knowledge can be gained by an interested and patient observer from a small area of less than 30 acres. This area was described as being, bounded on the north by a clear, running river which wound with many twistings'to the sea some four miles distant. In this river lived half-marine and half-riverine flounders land garfish, and in spring a large trout might be seen driving along a shoal of whitebait, taking huge mouthfuls of Jthem as they scurried before him. Eels, large and small, wore very plentiful, and sometimes an eel had been noticed leaping along the surface of the water in high loops. The river was incredibly full of life despite the many birds who found good hunting there. Crayfish, water snails, water beetles, fresh-water Imrissels, and Australian frogs abounded, ■arid the beautiful white heron might be observed patiently fishing in the shallow places occasionally making a fatal dart and impaling on his sharp beak any small bird who ventured too near. The shy bittern, the blue heron, the kingfisher, the pukeko, the shag, the paradise duck, all found plenty to attract them to this stream, as also black and white swans (the property of the borough two miles distant) who sometimes paid long visits. In this locality the air in spring was filled with the sweet songs of many introduced birds and the native warbler and fantail, but hs’" summer advanced the birds were llnute and the air was alive with a frenzy of winged insects. Several kinds bf cicadas were to be seen, and on hot Summer days the male cicadas kept up & chorus of shrill singing, the purpose of which it was difficult to understand, as the female cicadas did not appear lo be attracted by it, and all cicadas (were deaf. The large dragon fly, magnificent in his coat of mail and his four splendid gauzy wings, proved a real sir agon to the myriads of insects. No-

thing could escape him. _His big compound eyes saw his prey in an instant, and his strong glittering wings carried him swiftly to it. His value to mankind lay in the_ fact that' he devoured many harmful insects. Wetas, grasshoppers, praying mantis, stick insects, crane flies, and katydids were frequently met in this locality of so abundant summer insect life. Accompanying this paper was an exhibit of mounted specimens of most of the insects mentioned. Miss Mackie sent an account of a holiday at the National Park which included walks to the silica springs, the Taranaki Falls, and Tama Lake. A round trip of Mount Ruapehu involved a delightful climb past the Ski Club hut and up through the snow to view the Crater Lake and the summit of Ruapehu. The descent on the other side, which usually was the opportunity for a long-standing glissade, was somewhat hampered by the softness of the snow. The return trip had then to be made round the foot of the mountain, a rather rough walk over scoria tracks. Ngauruhoe was also climbed, and a visit to the beautiful Ketetahi Springs concluded a very enjoyable trip. Mrs Tily gave an account of an extended camping holiday in the North Island, illustrating her talk by means of an excellent collection of photographs secured during the -tour. Many delightful spots were visited, but one of the most interesting from a naturalist’s point of view was Lake Tutira, known to all bird lovers who have studied the late Mr Guthrie Smith’s book, ‘ Birds of tho Water, Wood, and Lake.’ Excitement and adventure were added to the trip by tho encountering of flood waters in many regions, though these were all negotiated without mishap. The almost continuous rain gave added charm to the many waterfalls, though somewhat lessening the comfort of the journey. The Ora-koi-Korako thermal area recently opened as a tourist resort proved a place of great charm and beauty. Here were pools, cream fringed with yellow, and purple, and coloured terx-aees, green, yellow, and white, with touches of pink, and one pure white terrace 105 ft long and at its highest point 25ft. “ Aladdin’s Cave.” a perfect sound shell, had an arch in pinks, reds, cream, and greens. At the conclusion of the evening Mr Earland proposed a vote of thanks to all who had contributed to tho programme. EXHIBITS. Mliss Dalrymple exhibited a collection of orchids from Victoria. Many of these resembled closely our New Zealand orchids. The clever mounting of these specimens made this a very charming exhibit. Two green geckos wore sliown by Air Howes. These were secured near Portobello, and though they were seldom seen it was believed that they were not uncommon in that locality, as several specimens had been caught recently. The Maoris had many superstitions about these creatures, and it was stated that the passing of one of thorn across the path of a war party was sufficient to cause the party to retreat.