BIRD LIFE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 9

BIRD LIFE

MR JOHANNES C. ANDERSEN SPEAKS AT CARTERTON. LEAGUE OF MOTHERS’ MEETING. (“Times-Age” Special.) St Andrew’s Hall was filled on Thursday afternoon, when the monthly meeting of the League of Mothers was held. Mrs R. H. Every presided and welcomed the members and speaker, Mr Johannes Andersen, who came from Wellington to address the meeting. Several apologies for absence were received. Mr Andersen, who is a well-known authority on bird life, gave a most interesting and instructive talk on “N.Z. Birds and Their Habits,” and illustrated their calls and songs. Mr Andersen said that many people, particularly the farmer, regard birds as pilferers, and he proved to his audience •that birds were very largely mis-1 judged. Birds were introduced to com-1 bat pests, and after there had been what the farmer termed a successful poisoning of birds, caterpillar plagues invariably followed. If sparrows ate as much as they possibly could in a year, it would iiot amount to more than 6 penny worth of damage. The speaker said that he was not speaking from a sentimental point of view. He had had this checked by the Agricultural Department. Birds work 52 weeks in the year. Thf> have to struggle to keep alive, and 90 per cent- die each year. Birds would not destroy fruit if they could get moisture in any other way. It is the moisture of the fruit they are after. If dishes of water and tables of food are put out they will leave fruit alone.. In a strawberry garden this had been proved. Birds are credited with stealing seed when the soil has been freshly dug. The birds do not go after the seed. They go after caterpillar eggs and pests. Birds have a regular repertoire. The bellbird sings the theme with variations. Another native, the Tui imitates any song he hears, and has a range of four octaves, but invariably brings in harsh notes. Some tuis can only sing harsh notes. The Tui and Bellbird sing duets, which are very wonderful to listen to, the Bellbird singing the theme, and the Tui putting in the bass. Birds also sing in chorus, but now are only an echo of what the chorus used to be. Kapiti Island is a good place to hear the choruses which commence with the first streak of day. The Tui calls to chorus and starts with a note crystal clear and continues on the same note for some time. Then another strikes two notes, another three notes until there are five different parts —all in harmony, and all the notes of a chord. Then all join in singing these simple themes. Mr Anderson said that he had recorded some of the songs, but could only copy the songs sung in our own scale of music. Native bird songs are easy to learn said Mr Anderson. English birds never sing the same song twice. Why do birds like singing, asked Mr Anderson. It is a response and some urge to express themsel-ves in beautiful ways, nature trying to make them express the best that is in them. The Bellbird and thrush are the two best singers. Mr-Anderson said that he copied songs because he was afraid birds may become extinct and remarked that many people were quite unaware of the delightful songs of the birds because they had never listened, and regarded birds as a nuisance; but once attention had been drawn to their singing they had found delight in listening. ■ Mr Anderson was thanked for his instructive address by Mrs H. Keenan. The choir rendered two glees, after which afternoon tea was served, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.