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Te Ao Hou, June 1960, Page 54

collection of bird songs and also photographs of the birds themselves. By the use of a microphone set in the centre of a parabolic reflector Kenneth Bigwood is able to record from a distance the singing bird, while his wife Jean operates the tape recorder. The thirty birds recorded in the album include such rarities as the strident whistle of the Kiwi, the musical horn-like notes of the Takahe, and most odd of all, the peculiar bubblings and whistlings of the Blue Duck. Many of these birds have been recorded for the first time, and the unsusual items lend variety to the melodious singing of Tuis, Bellbirds and other types. Accompanying the set of three records is a well produced 40-page booklet by Gordon R. Williams, containing pictures of all the birds on the records, most of which were taken by Kenneth Bigwood. With its popular appeal and educational value, this remarkable set should prove of great value for use in schools, as few children will have had the opportunity of hearing our fast vanishing birds in their natural surroundings. J.H.A.