CORRESPONDENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 8452, 21 August 1911, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE SMALL BIRD QUESTION

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Amongst the numerous letters that nave appeared lately on the above question, the letter signed "J. Campbell" is about the only one that shows any real grasp of facts as they are, and it is very evident that "J. Campbell" has acquired the habit of accurate observation. In the rest of the correspondence two main points are lost sight of—that is, that cultivation decreases the caterpillar pests. One increases the grass grub pest by affording greater facilities for a breeding ground than is obtained in a state of nature. All old identities can testify I to the fact that caterpillars used to come out of the tussock country by thousands, and the reference by "Preserve Them" to the fact that cater-> pillars were very bad at Cheviot only shows this to.be the case, there being probably a larger area of uncultivated land there than elsewhere, owing to the nature of the country. As far as the grass grub is concerned the good done by sparrows (if any) is infinitesmal. The only time the sparrows will touch a grass grub is when there is nothing else. They will follow the plough a little, but start the drill going in the next paddock and the whole flock is after it at once. The simple fact about the grass grub is that it is a world-wide pest, for which no treatment for destruction,.except at heavy cost, has yet been discovered. It may not be generally known that the late Mr Ivey, when director of the Agricultural College at Lincoln, instituted a series of experiments into the habits of various birds, by having some shot every week and dissected. The evidence was all against the sparrow as far as being insectivorious was concerned. It clearly showed that the sparrow's business in life was to eat seeds and grass, and those persons who have taken the trouble to really observe the habits of our different 'birds will all confirm this. The fact is that the sparrow, the green linnet, and the yel-low-hammer are simply a curse and a pest. They all, in conjunction with the English lark, do an enormous amount of damage in pulling up crops, when .they are coming through the ground; but the first three mentioned further destroy thousands of pounds' worth of grain just before it ripens. It is not at all an unusual thing to have to cut oats in a very green state for chaff, if they happen to be grown in close proximity to a plantation. The late T. H. Pojfcts, who had a world-wide reputation as a naturalist, was a close observer of bird life before leaving the Old Country,' and continued his observations here during his life-time; and further, being an orehardist was keenly interested in arriving at just conclusions as to the real value of the imported birds. Shortly put, his conclusions were* that the starling and goldfinch were the only birds of any real use," and he was a strong advocate for the introduction of the large English owl, and also the windhover, and small species of hawk, whose mission in life is to hary small birds and at tlie same ' time is too diminutive to .do other harm.

There is no doubt that the money paid by the County Council for heads and/eggs is well spent; but the Council probably does not get value for the poisoned wheat, simply owing to tho carelessness of the farmers, who .often do not get the wheat until they see the birds pulling the growing grain plant, when it is really too late. One often hears it said, "Tlie Council should not pay for heads when they give poisoned wheat gratis;" but this is a great mistake. Let any one who fancies ho can make a rise by getting heads try it and see the result. He will find that unless he has a plantation on the farm, he will see precious few-heads, and even with a plantation he must go round twice a day, or the numerous cats that turn ur> will have the heads eaten off the birds before he gets them.

What the Council should, do, to .ensure getting value for the poisoned wheat would be to give a £75 prize for the largest collector of heads in the county, £50 second prize, and £25 third pri^e. This would be money well spent and would induce many to study the art of bird-poisoning, which is by no means so simple as many think. Of eo.urse a condition of receiving the prize should be a stipulated minimum of say sixty, fifty, and twenty thousand heads. I-find my letter has reached an inordinate length so " must conclude; Hut there is any. amount more to bo said oil the subject. E. H; DOBSON. Lowcliffo, August 17, 1911".