NIGHTINGALES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 7 December 1927, Page 3

NIGHTINGALES

FOUR ARRIVE FROM ENGLAND TO INSPIRE N.Z. POETS. NOVELIST’S EXPERIMENT. 1 Special to "Tribune"! Auckland, Dec. 7. The four nightingales which Mr, David Garnett, the novelist, desires to sing amid our "fields of alien corn,’’ duly arrived in Auckland last night by the Aorangi. They were sponsored by Mr. Angus Wilton, a successful young Aucklander in London’s literary world, and a friend of the author.

Contrary to expectations the nightingales were permitted to land without protest from the Internal Affairs Department. At Suva Mr. Wilson was informed that this permission was not likely to be forthcoming. It would appear, however, that the acting-Minister, Sir Maui Pomare, changed his mind, Mr. Garnett expressed the wish that these birds which had inspired so many English poets and writers, might be given a similar opportunity to encourage New Zealanders. The novelist is anxiously, watching the result of the experiment, as this is the first time that nightingales have been sent go far from England. MAY FLY BACK. Though he has brought the birds half-way round the worfd with him, Mr. Wilson is convinced that they will eventually fly back to England It is usual for nightingales to return to their birth-place. Therefore, it is hoped that their progeny, horn in New Zealand, will make the Dominion their home, even if the old birds do return to England. The birds were brought out in specially-made travelling cases. Thev were fed daily on meal worms, and a mixture of ants’ eggs and dried flies The avidity with which they "at grubs and worms indicates that they might be useful in attacking the codlin moth.

The nightingales were acquired through the Royal Zoological Gardens in London. The experiment has nrovoked t.he greatest interest among ornithologists in England. Ear] Grey of Fallodon is particularly interested in the venture, and wrote to Mr. Wilson wishing it success. Every facility was given by th e C.P.R. and Canadian Australasian Royal Mail Lin© authorities who arranged a free passage and specially-warmed compartments during the crossing of the Rocky Mountains. The strictest assnrance was obtained before leaving London that nightingales can in no way affect agriculture. Professor D. Seth Smith, curator of birds to the Ro.va] Zoological Society, has given the birds the following character: ‘‘There is no doubt whatever that the nightingale is perfectly harmless in every way. and in fact it is a very beneficial bird to agriculture, etc., as it feeds almost entirely upon insects.” Professor Smith has asked Mr. Wilson to trv to obtain certain New Zealand native birds for the London Zoo, which at present contains no specimens of our birds.

He is particularly anxious to acquire a pair each of kiwis, keas, kakapos, wekas, and tuis, and has written to the Government officials in Wellington asking them to grant Mr. Wilson a permit to take these back to England with him when he returns in March.