22



Breeding Successes in New Zealand



on the windscreen kept clear was that under the arm of the mechanical

wiper. Driving was no sinecure—the road was slippery, vision obscured,

and the back of the car absolutely filled with cages, some of which

had to be held in position with out-stretched arm all the journey.


Now, this is a bird story, but fish must be introduced. Before leaving

London, a call was made at Damage’s and a pair of Angel fish secured.

These required a temperature of round about 60 to 70° to be com¬

fortable. The warmest place that we could think of to keep them during

the trip was securely wedged between ourselves and the seat, while,

at the few stops we did make, warm water was added to the contents.

The fish had to have some air, however, and the lid was not tightly

fitted. Moisture developed on the seat and later penetrated our clothing,

but still we stuck to the job and, between us, kept the Angel fish warm.

This, however, is just by the way.


The snow-storm through which we were passing became heavier

and even the wiper had to be cleared every now and then as the weight

of snow on it and the increasing thickness proved too great for its

motive power. There were even, to my mind at least, visions of motorists

stranded all night, held in by snowdrifts, gradually freezing to death

in company with a strange assortment of tropical birds and, between

them, a can of tropical fish found in a block of frozen ice ! Even

Sherlock Holmes would have been puzzled to explain the presence of

an Englishman and a New Zealander and such a cargo frozen stiff

miles from nowhere.


Fate, however, was on our side and, after an hour or so of slow, steady

progress with frequent stops to clear the snow from the windscreen

and make sure the precious bird cargo was still well-covered with

sacks and coats, and getting what warmth it could from the engine,

the snow ceased falling and a high, cold wind took its place. Fortunately

we could keep the car windows tightly closed all the time, otherwise

I dread to think of the results. The atmosphere cleared, the countryside

was covered by a blanket of white, and the wind proceeded to remove

any warmth anywhere remaining after the descent of the snow. The

only heat was from the faithful engine and even internal warmth,

from solid or liquid refreshment, was impossible, as it was essential to

push on without a break for meals to get our so-called “ delicate ”



