21. Chirps from the past This extract from Ringing of South African migratory birds by Austin Roberts (The Ostrich, June 1946) shows how far we have come in our understanding of migratory and breeding behaviour in the last 50 years. – Ed. ‘When ringing birds it must be borne in mind that some species are more important than others in regard to facts we are seeking. We should at the outset concentrate upon those species which breed in South Africa and migrate northwards, especially those that breed in both hemispheres, of which the following species may be specially mentioned: European Pelican European Night Heron Great Spotted Cuckoo European Bee-eater Blue-cheeked Bee-eater House Martin ‘In these cases no evidence has hitherto been adduced to show that there is any difference between the northern and southern breeding birds. There are, however, some others which are slightly different in the north and south, and the presumption is therefore that the southern birds do not migrate into the northern hemisphere, though the northern birds may still find their way into the southern hemisphere on migration, without breeding there. The Black Stork and the Stilt are possible cases of this kind.’ The following extract was kindly submitted by Jack Skead of Port Elizabeth. It is taken from Chapter 10 of Life at the Cape over a Hundred Years Ago, by ‘A Lady’, and is startling in view of the current concern about declining penguin populations. An account of the lady’s experiences at the Cape in 1861–1862 first appeared in the Cape Monthly Magazine during 1871–1872. – Ed. ‘Many of the things are rudely made up; but that you can easily rectify. In the tin box you will find rolled up a fancy tablecloth made out of patches of penguin skin, most tastefully sewn together in a wheel pattern. It will do famously for your round little tea table, and only requires to be quilted onto some blue or red cloth to show off its velvety grey, black and orange plumage to advantage. At least fifty birds must have been destroyed to provide this intricate little bit, as the only portions used in the manufacture are the back, the breast, and the side of the neck. It is a shocking waste of material but then que voulez vous when they are annually breeding in thousands.’

Office Avian Demography Unit
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Document posted: 24-Aug-2001