50 Years ago

'A possible fundamental in the behaviour of young nidifugous birds' — One of the most significant behaviour patterns observed is one which occurs immediately upon hatching. I propose to call this the 'brooding reflex' because it seems to be the mechanism whereby the newly hatched duckling orientates itself to the position of optimum warmth and mechanical protection beneath the female. It involves an active search by the duckling for a feeling of enclosure around the head or part of the head ... Thus, a duckling a few seconds after hatching on my hand would actively follow my other hand once I had held its head between finger and thumb. A state of rest, or even of sleep, could be released in the ducklings merely by providing this contact stimulus on two sides of the head or bill ... I found that I could release a similar quiescence in wild juveniles ... To date, this response has been positive in every nidifugous juvenile I have handled ... It would appear to be a fundamental behaviour activity which has been previously overlooked.

From Nature 30 April 1960.

100 Years ago

'The total solar eclipse of May 8, 1910' — This eclipse, which can be observed from Tasmania, is not a very favourable one, because the sun at the critical time is only about 8° above the horizon. Mr. Frank McClean, however, who has made considerable preparations for observing it, is already in Tasmania ... Little is known at present about the site, but in a letter ... he writes that one of his party “is as strong as a horse,” and will be exceedingly useful “when we have to clear the 200-feet high trees out of the way and carry the packing cases up a 600-feet hill.” It will thus be seen that he is making every endeavour to secure as good a site as possible, and it is hoped that his energy will be rewarded with success. From Nature 28 April 1910.