Commonwealth Cards

Historic Events In Early New Zealand - Card 27 - Tasman's Atempted Landing

2013-05-28T00:31:00.001+12:00

Card number 27 of 30 from Cereal Foods NZ, text says;

Abel Tasman first attempted to land in New Zealand at Golden Bay but he met with a hostile reception from the Maoris and four of hi men lost their lives.

Here is a stunning montage of Golden Bay by Stephen Patience (view it in full screen, its worth it) and a map to show where in NZ Golden Bay actually is...

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Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 11 - Bull Finch

2011-12-16T20:10:00.000+13:00

This card is in particularly good condition. No 11 of 30. Text says:

The Bull Finch nests often in the same English woods as the pheasant. Although it is richly coloured, its shy habits cause many people to consider it rare, which it is not. It builds a fragile stick nest, almost as flat as a doves, in which it lays four to six eggs, usually in May. Often a second brood is reared, as is the case with many other finches.

New Guinea: The Last Frontier - Card 20 - Lae

2011-12-16T19:48:00.000+13:00

Card number 20 of 24. Text says:

20. LAE
The district headquarters and economic hub of the mountainous half circle which is the Marobe District. Lae derives its name from the Leiwomba peoples that inhabit the nearby Markham Valley. Lae is one of the most modern towns in the Territory.

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 15 - Lyre-bird

2011-10-06T14:18:00.000+13:00

No 15 of 30. Text says:

The Lyre-bird is a dull coloured but very individual Australian, which lives only in the deep forest country of South-Eastern Australia. In the nesting season the male builds a dancing mound where he sings and displays while the female is sitting on the single egg in a domed nest on a stump, or high in a sassafras tree. She feeds and rears the young alone, and the male may not see it until it leaves the nest.

There are lots of good vids out there, but I'm ready for a laugh, how bout you...

Historic Events In Early New Zealand - Card 6 - "Tapu" Feeding

2011-10-04T02:39:00.000+13:00

Card number 6 of 30. Text says;

"Tapu" Feeding
A "Tapu" person was usually fed with a long-pointed stick or was obliged to eat off the ground. Liquid was often directed straight into the mouth to avoid contaminating a vessel.

A detailed description of what tapu means to the Maori people is at NewZealand.com. In context of a individual, their evolving spirituality is directly related to stronger tapu. This usually occurs as a result of age and to a degree the wisdom that comes from that.

To maintain the sanctity of tapu, certain behaviours or actions were prohibited.

To disregard the rules of tapu was an offence to the gods. Those concerned forfeited divine protection and were therefore exposed to supernatural evils.

In a broader context 'waahi tapu' relates to places or things and their relationships with the people who reside close by. This generational relationship and lore is often overlooked in the cause of progress, its value then becomes lost from memory along with the ties linking people to an area. The below video reaches into some of the lore of the Maori tribes to explain more (the impatient can jump to about 1:10)...

"Our Golden Fleece" - Card 5 - Godfrey Bowen

2011-10-03T19:27:00.000+13:00

Card number 5 of 20. Text say:

Godfrey Bowen
(Courtesy: NZ Wool Board)
Godfrey Bowen and Prince, his famous Merino ram, pictured at the Agrodome in Rotorua. Godfrey Bowen is renowned for having developed the Bowen shearing techniques now taught and adopted the world over, It emphasises economy of effort and a minimum of discomfort for the animals.

Its hard to emphasise exactly how much difference Godfrey Bowen made to the efficiency of sheep shearing. Before his techniques became widely adopted, a shearer who could complete as many as 300 sheep a day was uncommon.

In 1960 Bowen was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace for his services to the sheep industry. As if to prove his worth for the award, a short time later he shore 559 Welsh mountain sheep in nine hours, one of his most famous and remarkable feats.

The following vid seems to be a good demonstration of many techniques pioneered by Bowen, shot from a couple of angles.

Animals of the world - Card 47 - Badger

2011-09-26T23:05:00.000+13:00

Card number 47 of 64. The text says:

Animals of the World

A Series of 64

47

Badger

(Meles taxus)
This is the European badger, or brock, which dwells in the depths of the woods and comes out at night to feed on fruits, nuts, eggs, small birds and mammals, or even honeycomb and wasp grubs. The thick fur protects it from stings. The hair is stiff but fine-tipped, and is used for brushes.

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Badgers often enjoy the company of their family group, and are highly teritorial. This has lead to a reputation for grumpyness, however mythology often interprets that for of valour or bravery.

Badger Family from Peter McMurdie on Vimeo

Historic Events In Early New Zealand - Card 22 - Whaling

2011-09-25T16:53:00.002+13:00

Card number 22 of 30, Text says:

Whaling was soon established in New Zealand after Captain Cook's early reports and in early 1800's as many as 150 ships visited the Bay of Islands in one season.

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 13 - Orange Chat

2011-09-21T01:04:00.000+12:00

Card number 13 0f 30. Text says:

Orange Chat is one of the birds often noticed in the desert parts of Australia. It lives in the blue-bush and saltbush, and travels between the patches of this growth in small parties. It has a pleasing call-note, and this, together with its bright colouring, explains the bushman's name of 'bush-canary'. Like other chats it builds a deep cup-shaped nest in the base of a low plant, and when you go near its nest it drags itself away over the ground as though injured, hoping you will follow it. If you do it will lead you a certain way, and then fly up and away.

The description above is actually rather good for a trade card. The taxonomic name for Orange Chats is Epthianura aurifrons.

You can see some nice videos on the IBC site of Orange Chats in action, mostly while foraging. Below image shows a male with the somewhat deeper colouring and dark face feathers that distinguish it from a female.

There is an excellent image clearly showing the differences between a pair at Professor Paul's blog, along descriptions of a number of other birds often identified as 'honey eaters'.

Popular Pets - Card 44 - Fantail

2011-09-11T10:58:00.000+12:00

Card number 44 of 66. Text says:

Fantail
Some of the fish in this series are described as "Scaleless". but of course they have scales which may, however be almost invisible. The heavier scales seem to serve as a protector for some of the varieties and in the main those are stronger than the "Scaleless". The split tail in two equal halves are characteristic of the FANTAIL. A strong fish.

Album from Your Grocer

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Animals of the world - Card 5 - Giant Anteater

2011-09-07T21:40:00.001+12:00

Card number 5 of 64. Text says:

Animals of the world

A series of 64

5

Giant Anteater

(Myrmecophaga jubata)
There are several unrelated animals called "Anteaters", but the family to which the name rightly belongs is found in South America. This is the largest of several species, 4ft long, 2ft high, plus an enormous hairy tail which is probably a broom for sweeping up ants. It takes the ants into its toothless tubular mouth with a long sticky tongue.

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Wikipedia says that the 'giant anteater' is in fact Myrmecophaga tridactyla but the dimensions given are reasonably similar to the description above. In fact jubata appears to be an older taxonomic name for the same animal, translating literally as "having mane, or crest". While tridactyla refers instead to the three longer hardened claws on each paw used for digging out ants nests.

These interesting animals are listed as threatened or vulnerable, mainly at appears due to the reduction in habitat size in and around central South America, their slow movement, and specific dietary requirements. The burn-off method often employed to clear land for cultivation tends to catch them unawares, and can also significantly reduce their preferred food sources of ants and termites.

Red Indians - Card 9 - Moccasins

2011-09-03T22:22:00.000+12:00

Card number 9 of 40. Text says:

Indian Moccasins. The Indian shoe was called a Moccasin. The upper part as usually made of buckskin and the sole of buffalo hide. Indian women, who made the moccasins, decorated them with paint, beads, or porcupine quills. When the soles wore out the squaw sewed on new Buffalo hide soles.

According to Wikipedia "A moccasin is a slipper made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole and sides made of one piece of leather, stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp (additional panel of leather). The sole is soft and flexible and the upper part often is adorned with embroidery or beading..."

If you feel so inclined you can try making your own...

Greggs Birds - Card 40 - Australian Pelican

2011-08-28T21:20:00.000+12:00

Some moisture damage to back of card. Number 40 of 40. Text says:

40

Australian Pelican
The only recorded sighting in New Zealand was in 1890, on the Wanganui River. Sub-fossil bones have also been found. Breeds in colonies by lagoons or costal islands. Eats fish and [...]ea. Lays 2 or 3 white, che[...]

This bird is most definatively a warm climate bird as the description above notes, temperate is not so ideal, brrr.... But despite that the Australian Pelican do have a wide range, extending as far as Indonesia and Paupua New Guniea. In particular the larger birds of the breed tend to roam widely, helping to spread the species.

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 3 - Australian Swallow

2011-08-27T23:43:00.000+12:00

Card has a small tear on one side, and shows some light creasing and wear. That may also be a small piece of the original cereal stuck in one corner! Number 3 of 30. Text says:

The Australian Swallow is another capable flier, which in many parts of the world travels great distances on migratory flights. Australian Swallows do not migrate to another country in winter, but move towards Northern Australia. When they return South in spring they may be seen building mud nests in garages and hollow trees. Swallows must be able to fly well to catch flying insects, so the young ones must be fed by their parents for many weeks after leaving their nests. Old swallows have been seen to fly beneath their tired young and support them in the air.

Also known as the Welcome Swallow, this colorful cousin of is indeed an excellent flier. As evidenced by my somewhat futile search for videos of actual flight of these birds, presumably since they are relatively hard to capture in motion. There are many good images and videos of the Welcome Swallow available at the Internet Bird Consortium. Its interesting to see how agile fliers have a much sharper wing shape, differentiating them from larger gliding birds. And how designers occasionally catch on and use that in new aircraft developments.

Popular Pets - Card 40 - Gold Finch

2011-08-24T23:32:00.000+12:00

Card number 40 of 66. Text says:

Gold Finch
The Gold Finch belongs to the largest order of birds notable for their perching and singing. Should they be kept as pets it is essential, as with all other birds, they should have plenty of room to enable them to fly. Never keep any bird in a small cage.

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The bird pictured on the card seems to be one of the european variety, Carduelis Carduelis as shown in the below video. This is a significantly larger bird than its yellow American cousin. However both types are known for their bright song and somewhat shy behaviour. Gold Finches are surviors, with substantial, strong populations.

saka-Carduelis Carduelis by ert38 [Update] The below vid shows them doing their thing in full motion...

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 21 - Pheasant

2011-08-21T17:26:00.000+12:00

Card number 21 of 30. Text says:

The history of the Pheasant is mixed, but it seems to have come originally from China. History tells us that the Romans introduced it to Britain. A favourite sporting bird, it clings to the thickets, where its brownish mate broods the dozen or more eggs in a nest on the ground. The young Pheasants can run soon after hatching and disappear from sight at a call from their mother.

Below is a video showing various types of pheasant, mostly from the Himalayan mountains. Pardon the music please.

All pheasants of the world originated in the Himalayas. The hills and valleys of Himachal, Uttanchal and Arunachal Pradesh are the only areas left in the world where these exotic birds species still exist in their natural surroundings. Western tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Koklass -glimpses of the graceful world of these beautiful birds.

New Guinea: The Last Frontier - Card 10 - Aircraft in New Guinea

2011-08-20T21:56:00.000+12:00

Card number 10 of 24. Text says

10. Aircraft in New Guinea
Small aircraft, like the Twin otter, have been one of the major factors in opening up the territory. Here natives and European engineers work alongside to service an aircraft engine at Lae Airport.

Lae township is apparently the second largest town in Paupua New Guinea. As of 2000 the population was about 72000. Which in the greater scheme of things is not so many. The country is still very wild, and to a large degree inaccessible dur to the heavy rainforerst. Local conditions have earned the town the nickname "Pothole City"

According to Malum Nalu...

World attention was focused on Lae in 1937, and continues to this day, when it was the last port of called for the famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart before she disappeared somewhere over the deep-blue South Pacific ocean.

The video below show just how lush and green the country is...

And an example of one of the larger planes in use at the airport...

Large parts of Papua New Guinea are unexplored, although deforestation and mineral exploitation are making their sad impact on this wild landscape.

Earth Shaking Events - Card 24 - Zeppelin : Hindenburg

2011-08-15T22:56:00.001+12:00

Card number 24 of 24. English text says:

May 6, 1937, 3 days after leaving Germany, the 804 foot long Hindenburg, with 97 people aboard was preparing to moor at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Less than 200 feet from the ground, the great airship burst into flames! Passengers leaped screaming to the ground. 36 died. Many more were badly burned. Cause of this tragedy was never discovered. But no more great dirigibles were built.

Wikipedia has an extensive page discussing the history and merits of airships.

The following is the original reel about the famous Hindenburg disaster in 1937, Lakehurst. While not the only such incident, it was widely publicised. Use of airships declined dramatically as the developing WWII and Allied investment in aircraft development, along the the lack of availability of safe helium. More historical information about the Hindenburg and similar airships can be read at airships.net

Animals of the world - Card 17 - Porcupine

2011-08-12T22:06:00.004+12:00

This card has a number of shalllow creases with a small amount of ancient sticky tape on the top and bottom edges. It has the amusing note "hell animal". Nuff said. Card number 17 of 64. Text says:

Animals of the World

A Series of 64

17

Porcupine

(Hystrix crystata)
Porcupines are rodents and are exclusively vegetarian. The long sharp quills that cover the body are for protection, but they cannot, as legend suggests, shoot out their quills at an enemy. They can, and do, however, run backards against dogs etc, inflicting nasty wounds.

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The following video is an funny view of a somewhat domesticated and happy porcupine. Note the handler is wearing thick gloves...

Which is quite different from the following clip of an African porcupine which shows a much wilder and visibly capable animal. As you can see wiser animals are wary of injuries from porcupines. It goes without saying that younger anaimals (and dogs) are not always wise...

Porcupines as a species are quite diverse, and can be found in may parts of the world. The type described on the card above are normally found in Italy, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. They have also bee seen in parts of Western Asia.

Individual populations are thought to be in general decline, one reason cited is that porcupine meat is considered a delicacy in some areas. Unfortunately only a limited amount of study into porcupine populations has been made. Quills from different types, particularly Northern American, are somtimes found in indigenous artwork and tools.

Animals of the world - Card 41 - Hyaena

2011-08-08T23:39:00.001+12:00

Card number 41 of 64. The text says:

Animals of the World

A Series of 64

41

Hyaena

(Hyaena striata)
Hyaenas found from the Caucasus to the Bay of Bengal and in northern and eastern Africa are noted scavengers. They have been known to take living prey, but mostly they clean up the kill after the hunting animals have abandoned it, they can make a meal from a skeleton that even the jakals and vultures have abandoned.

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The following is an interesting video of a single Hyaena guarding a salvaged carcase its pack is eating from.

Hyaenas in general are described by the IUCN Hyaena Specialist Group as "very important and influential inhabitants of most African and some Asian ecosystems". I had understood that Hyaenas were primarily meat eaters, apparently that is not the only case. Hyaenas born in the wild regularly consume a more balanced diet including some fruit and insects.

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 4 - Pale-headed Rosella

2011-08-08T16:28:00.002+12:00

No 4 0f 30. Text says:

The Pale-headed Rosella is found in Easterns Queensland and New South Wales. These birds are usually seen in pair or small flocks, and make their nests in hollow limbs or holes in trees. In New South Wales the breeding season is between September and December, in Queensland it is any time after the rains, when they will lay three to five eggs. This Rosella is also call the Blue-cheeked Parrot or the Moreton Bay Rosella.

Some really nice images are viewable on mdahlem.net that clearly show the difference between purebred pale-headed varieties and their close cousins. It seems that the yellow crest is a common variation of this bird's attractive plumage.

Below are a couple of videos of nesting birds, you can see the eggs clearly in the second video.

Greggs Birds - Card 22 - Griffon Vulture

2011-08-08T03:25:00.006+12:00

Card number 22 of 40. Text is:

22

Griffon Vulture
A noisy bird that never kills its food but feeds on dead and decaying carcasses. Nests on cliffs or in trees in open country ranging from southern Europe to India and South Africa.

The Griffon Vulture is generally found in parts of Europe referred to as the old world. While a reasonable population level is believed, there is some concern that population growth in many areas is reducing the scavenging opportunities for such birds, and therefore limiting the available habitat.

Griffon Vultures are particularly remarkable for two things. They can stand or bask in a variety of poses, including by resting on its half folded wings. And also for being found flying at very high altitudes.

There are a number of interesting short videos available about this bird at the Internet Bird Collection site.

Birds of the World and their Eggs - Card 27 - Rainbow Bird

2011-08-01T14:39:00.019+12:00

Card number 27 of 30. Card text says:

The Rainbow Bird is one of the few migrant birds Australia has. In summer it arrives in the southern half of the country - so giving rise to the countryman's name of 'summer bird'. But in the autumn after it has bred, it sets out to fly north, and some flocks actually cross the sea to New Guinea. In other ways, too, it is an unusual bird. It lives largely on bees and wasps which it catches in flight, and it always removes the sting before swallowing them. It nests in sandy country, digging a burrow on the ground which ends in a bottle shaped chamber for the nest.

The Rainbow bird is also called the Rainbow Bee-eater. It's taxonomic name is Merops ornatus, which roughly translates to the "richly adorned bee eating bird". According to Birds Australia "...it really does catch bees, beating them on a branch until they can no longer sting before tossing them down."

The IUCN Red List rates this handsome bird with a very good conservation status (as of 2008), due mostly to the large range of its habitat. For obvious reasons beekeepers are not their biggest fans, however this is apparently balanced by the birds keeping the population of other flying insects such as locusts down (Wikipedia).

Another good description of this bird is available at the Australian Government Environment site. Check the video below to hear the Rainbow bee-eater in action.

Video is courtesy of Wikipedia user Aviceda licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Operation Deep Freeze - Card 3 - US Yogs

2011-07-31T19:42:00.051+12:00

Heavily creased and quite fragile. Card Number 3 of 25. Text says:

US 'Yogs'
The 'Yog' (U.S. Navy fleet Touhens) was frozen in and holed below waterline in 1957. The ice didn't damage the oil tank, and it is now used as a storage tank for the U.S. Camp at McMurdo Sound. The 'Yogs' now frozen fast are completely immovable. The pipe line to the shore is seen behind the two small [...]ires.

More on the McMurdo camp and 'Yogs' in Antarctica at:
Wikipedia : McMurdo Station
Another example of a snowed in 'yog' or US Navy Yard Oiler ship
USAP : Operation Deep Freeze
Cool Antarctica.com : Operation Deep Freeze

This is the only card I have in this series, and is in visibly poor condition. Despite that it is quite interesting. It was released by the Timaru Milling Company of New Zealand. The company that brought cereal to grocery store is now part of a larger investment, but the original milling building from 1882 still stands. Although that is no longer used for production as the tallest local building it still gets used for a number of purposes.

Wonders of Modern Aircraft - Card 44 - James Mollison

2011-07-30T20:56:00.032+12:00

Fun Facts: During one of his commercial flights, he met the equally famous aviatrix Amy Johnson, whom he proposed to only eight hours after meeting her, and while still in the air. Johnson accepted; they married on July 1932, and she went off to break her husband's England to South Africa record. They were dubbed The Flying Sweethearts by the press and public.

Read more about James Mollison on Wikipedia

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