NOTES ON CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 84

NOTES ON CORRESPONDENCE.

" Alpha's " last contribution has drawn a note from " Dinornis." I tbinfir we all have the same end in view, and neither " Alpha " nor myself advocate indiscriminate collecting and killing ; but we ' do think that making collections ought to be encouraged, for it will generally be found that those doing so develop jAeir humane instincts and are never guilty of thoughtless or coolly-planned -cruelty. We also advocate book and pencil. But " Dinornis " in a postscript men,tions another matter, what he apparently thinks a- craze for first /signs of spring:. A fortnight ago I gave extracts from a handbook issued by an official of the Royal Meteorological Soiiety, and by those extracts it appears that tho, society attache* great importance •to these records. But isn't " Dmornisi" rather missing my $oint ? The records I need — except as records of aberrations, such as cummer blooming prolonged into the late winter •or even, early spring— are. of those recognised ac heralding spring, and these, if made systematiI cally over a term *©f yeaw^ will be of value es general indications of early or late, wet or dry, seasons, and co on. Even aberrant hflpperjnga will ha-ve their value too. Again, &c Very fact that these things are noticed instead of passed by [ shows a general interest in Naiture, and j recording these apparently trivial details > may lead to the talcing up of some phase j of Nature-study'; and let us encourage anything and everything that will rive young I folk some hobby or object in me. What j a pitiable sight our streets are at night, I crowded as they are with' minds apparently as blank as a sheet of white paper. I am much obliged to "J. R." for hi» interesting note on the battle of Mataura, to give it -an easy name. Will school children in the neighbourhood locate it? and will they gather up any traditions from old folk? . Also, will someone interview those whom "J. R." mentions and let me have results? These details of early history will be of great value in time to come, and it is a great pity that the Government does not institute a j thorough search for these early records as narrated by those who were eye-witnesses or who received the information firsthand. I have sent '" Wynidham"s** note to the Government Biologist, Wellington, and hope to get an answer. The grub, however, met with an untimely- end, so cannot be forwarded too. Will my correspondent tend me. another specimen or two if convenient ? The Westland spider sent by " J." Rimu, is apparently the Hescathele huttoni, a fine specimen of the tube-building-or trap-door spider. The " Wairoa specimen is a Macrothele, also a tube-building or trap-door chap, but I have not its specific name. " Sparkling Brine's, " (Hooper's Inlet) specimen was too mutilated to make anything of. It is advisable to pack delicate specimens in wet or dry moss or some other material suitable, and to send them in a little tin. Correspondents should also send as many pa,rticulars as possible. A specimen arrived two or three weeks _ftgo flattened out as thin as a sheet of tissue paper; fortunately, however, tbe deecrip-

tion sent enabled me to identfy it with» out any hesitation or doubt Some time ago -a Central -Otago resident sent me a lump of very nice day taken from the centre of a boulder, aod wanted to know how it got there. Dr Maraiwll, Professor of Geology, was away on his vacation at the time, but has *ince seen rt and would like to get deiaila as to finding — exact k)bality, the kind of stone it was in, whether quite solid or not, and ao on. Has too long- a tune elapsed to obtain these details? J. Shore sends 1 one of his characteristic and complimentary notes. I cannot in any way explain the migration and non-breeding of the starlings. Mention is made of birds dying apparently of old age, and not prematurely. I believe that it is a rare thing to find bodies of wild animals. -that die natural deaths, for when about to die they seek seclusion, possibly to avoid conflict with any of their kind or with enemies. A boy told we this week that he had come across a nest of- youns thrushes, and last week I was told of a bumble bee buzzing busily — alliterative, isn't it? — a fortnight ago. A series- of records, including notes such' -98 these, and extending over, feay ; 10 years, in any locality,, would be interesting. The question of establishing a Naturalists' Club hi connection with these columns has been advocated more than once, and I should like to see the suggestion crystallise, but ,1 haven't the time new the ability to make a success of it. Perhaps, a. club can be formed independently, with these columns «b an-tjfficia.l .record. ' Beadexs might let me have- opinions snd- suggestions; "Nesta" rolls, off big word's like a prof easioaal, ants I am glad that she knows so many pknia by name. Let me, have * ' beetle' and grub or two. I wonder can "NestJi" try breeding beetles? There is comparatively fettle known about Beetles, and "Nesta" might have the honour of snding a short paper to some scientific society. If willing, to try, keep accurate and full notes not only- on the grabs and beetles, but on weather conditions, which n»ay accelerate or retard «fatvelopment. The reference to imported animals destroying our night birds and, inferentially, being the cause of an increase in number* of night insects is a good one, and the inference may be quite true. " Ornithologist " draws attention to what the Canterbury Conference said concerning the owl. Like him, I think we should go slow, and not make any more introductions on a large scale until we caft form a fair estimate as to results. Observatious such 'aa " Ay» hts recoKtadi are just those the Victorian Education Department is asking for in all the ■ Victorian schools. Why not the same here? '"Oraitholoßist," in his fetter, thinks that the bird mentioned iff likeiy w cuckoo, though Jte mention* the thrash, aho. Another reader of these ooiuranff thiska it « the North .Island thrush, but adds that hahas not in any way" verified bis opmion. The Anderson's J?ay specimen sent m is not asnail at aft, though often spoken of as such. I think it is a plananaß, a, flat W Tlw bird sent bom $*eensbnd I b»ye seofeto •' Ornithologist," wh.o, I think, wiH identify it for me. . - "Lex ? is a bit out in. assumAg tbj* the tui, beJlfcird, and moke an* all the same. Perhaps 1 1*11 «ive_« Bo* or two next wee* upon them. ■_ , ... . Two or three specimens sent in will De referred to itert week. - . % must thank a gentleman fen? drawing my . attention tfr the Vtiele "J^esr Becofrec€iona".in lie MafeutK Baftgn, .August 20 I shall be very glad to receive any papers qont*ining re^wences to «ny early , history "of 'any part & New Zo**""*- TtL Leslie's iuntrus is an edible one. xa the ground ifis a jelly ban, but when it emerges it explodes, «nd so Matters- ite s £re! tbe jeUy^ike part di «*PPf«£S and leaving the leathery globular net wo*.