BIROS VERSUS GRASS GRUBS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8444, 11 August 1911, Page 6

BIROS VERSUS GRASS GRUBS.

TO THE EDITOR

. gi Vj —i n a recent issue of your valuable paper you invited further opinions on the "small bird nuisance." Well," as a close observer of birds and their habits for well over forty years, I have much pleasure in contributing my item, if you care to make use of it. Now if I "could think (as some contend) that the small birds'make any appreciable difference in lessening the greater evil, viz;, the grass grub, I would say not ■ one word against them, but am sorry to think that they .do not.. - No doubt, sometimes, you will see a few after the plough, picking up a few grubs, whilst gulls, .sea martins, and starlings are devouring them in thousands. On ploughing up an old paddock where there are several oat stacks, I can safely say there were twenty times more birds fattening on the oats that we want, than on the grubs we don't want. To my mind this point is proven beyond dispute. They will take the grain every time, and in all its different stages —when it is sown, when coming through the ground, when ripening, and even after it ia in the stack. As to keeping the nuisance in check, as a rule I have all faith in our County Councillors; but I believe they have made a, grave mistake in stopping the issue of the poison baa;. The'6d per dozen heads racket will be as successful in combating the small birds, as the small birds are in combating the grubs. -, J. CAMPBELL. August 8, 1911.