BIRD SANCTUARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 281, 27 November 1930, Page 9

BIRD SANCTUARIES.

USE OF: GOLF COURSES.

NOVEL AMERICAN S CHEME

INTRODUCTION TO DOMINION.

(By Telegraph.—Special to; "Star.")

WELLINGTON, this day.

Novel bird sanctuaries may soon dot Zealand 1 if the investigations of members of the Native Birds Protection Society bear':.fruit. ,

The sanctuaries are nothing less than golf courses: Golfers will have new "birdies"' to v discuss, provided that the, scheme, which is being developed by. Wellington men, is taken up .with approval. ;The conversion of golf courses into • bird sanctuaries is said to have resulted in benefiting 1 both the birds and tlie • turf.; Dr. Arthur Alben, professor of ornithology at Cornell University, is the originator .of the idea, which has been- tried' out in New York and was launched .by. the National Association of Audubon Societies a year ago. Of the 330 golf .clubs which :received the circular sent out by the society (jailing attention to'the: plan, 114 have responded and 35 have goue.ahead with the proposals for making, sanctuaries. of their, courses.; The idea is said to be taking bold and Germany arid Australia have been investigating it. -

The proposal, as outlined by the Audubon Societies, is that the golf clubs should make available more nesting places for birds •by putting up birdbouses appropriate to. the course and suitable to the birds. In this work, the aid of Boy Scouts and caddies is enlisted, stimulating the interest cf the. boys in the club and providing occupation for them.' The planting of trees, such as the mulberry and -the dogwood, which are not drily attractive in themselves, but provide bird food, is suggested. 'When water .is not- available it is • "proposed to put in bird baths. Some, American clubs have made water fowl sanctuaries of their water hazards,, which attract especially the American woodland ducks.;

. A motion picture illustrating the project has ,been : rp'epai<ed. The representative American! committee working on the- project includes "Bobby" Jciies,..the famous'golfer." ' -■■■■■