ML148007

Media notes

Subtitle: Melampsalta exulis. Identification by Dr. Watt Low Flat is old pasture adjacent to North Beach but separated by sand hills, surrounded by groves of large, spreading Pohutkawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis) trees. These green cicadas lived in the trees and elsewhere on Raoul. This morning the sun came out briefly after foggy, damp weather and a storm in which 5" of rain fell. Everything was sopping wet, and and started to steam and dry out. Cicadas could be heard (these are very faint). Two males appeared on the sunny canvas wall of a tent. Dr. Watt held the mirophone progressivly closer to a calling insect. To the human ear, this cicada has a high-frequency note; but when the ear is close, low frequency notes can be heard. On playback, the low-frequency notes were emphasized. This was corrected by copying the original through a 1.5 kc high-pass filter, and turning up the amplifier's treble control. *Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Nelson, New Zealand. Melampsalta exulis. Sat on canvas tent wall. Other Behaviors: Reproduction. Equipment Notes: 2-transister, grounded emitter, battery operated pre-amplifer.