50 Years Ago

The steam engine may be dead, but for Emmett connoisseurs there is always the wasp mistblower. This is one possible solution to the problem of getting rid of wasps from tall trees, designed by Drake and Fletcher Ltd … for spraying insecticides to high levels, and tested as part of a research programme by the Forestry Commission. A special “coconut outlet”, originally used for palm trees, injects the spray liquid into an air blast. Other methods investigated include rotating sprinklers attached to the tops of individual trees, and a mobile sprinkler which reaches suitable heights with a telescopic mast. Only the mistblower, which is mounted on a tractor, seems feasible for large-scale applications — the respective disadvantages of the other two are a dearth of skilled climbers to install the machinery, and a time-consuming erection process for each operation.

From Nature 9 August 1969

100 Years Ago

While collecting information on the use of colour-protection among birds, my attention has been directed to … a very interesting generalisation, viz. that among birds which nest on the moors, seashores, and similar open places, (1) those which have the habit of remaining on their nests when danger threatens generally wear camouflaged uniforms, but their eggs seldom show any signs of colour-protection; while (2) those which are very shy and leave their eggs readily are generally conspicuously coloured, but their eggs are usually camouflaged. Amongst the first class are capercailzie, … wild duck, and bittern; and amongst the shy ones with camouflaged eggs are lapwing, … ring plover, and golden plover.

From Nature 7 August 1919