KILLING FOR SPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 127, 1 June 1927, Page 6

KILLING FOR SPORT.

Winifred E. Miiler lias returned to the charge, and for her benefit I refer again to the blue duck which she one* more affirms nests in raupo swamps. The blue or mountain duck (Hymenolaiinus malaeorhyachus) does not use the ranpo or any other swamp either poetically or otherwise, but inhabits the mountain streams. High up at the head waters of several of our main rivers I have seen the blue duck and have found their nest* in holes dug in the bank by the birds, which use their wings for this purpose. The breedin" season is August to November. Sports* men do not molest them, and the game law* rigidly protect them. Miss Miller also mentioned the fern bird (Bowdleria punctata) as nesting with the blue duck. This bird nesU in manuka scrub and bunches of sedge from October to November. I would point out to Miss Miller that sportsmen shoot game from Mav to July, so her charge of shooting the birds on nests is as absurd as the rest of her charges. "Pot-hunters" and poachers may do these miserable things, but sportsmen, who ! form the subject of Miss Miller's acrimonious attack, would scorn such a suggestion. Miss Miller should know that zoological collections are not stuffed, as may be affirmed by a visit to the Auckland Zoo. Museum collections are different and are- contributed mostly by sportsmen, for the benefit pi visitors and student* free of charge. The suggestion of a waxworks show of wild life for schools has the virtue of originality, but I cannot imagine even a vegetarian becoming sentimental over a stuffed effigy. I trust Miss Miller will in future either take an active interest in game protection and learn a little about, it. or laps* into a decent silence upon the subject.

GREGORY G. KELLY.