DOOM OF THE GREY DUCK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 9, 10 May 1939, Page 8

DOOM OF THE GREY DUCK

NEED O.F COMPLETE PROTECTION Mr W. H. Field, who is one of the most ardent protectors of native birds and forests, has 700 acres of native bush at Waikanae, where the birds have peaceful sanctuary. He also has a little lake where waiter, fowl such as native grey duc.k s and Pukeko have happy sanctuary. However, he noticed, with the exception of the Pukeko, that the native water fowl did not seem to be increasing. He happened to see ducks and 'their broods at the lower end of a stream below his sanctuary, and felt that lie would like to include that piece of water in his sanctuary. He got into communication with an officer of the Wellington A|cc I ij'niat isat ion Society, and made that suggestion. He was told that there was no need for such action as the grey ducks were holding their own and were not in danger of extermination. Captain Yerex (Inspector under the Animals' Protection and Game Act, 1921.22, and Director of the Government's war on deer) said that his duties took him into many dis« tricts of the. North and South Is. lands. He was fully convinced that the numbers of the grey duck were decreasing rapidly. This was partly due to the draining of many large swamps which had served as the breeding and feeding grounds of the birds in the past. .Consequently they were compelled to concentrate on small areas where they were easy targets for sportsmen. Once he saw a party of shootists sitting beside one pool. They had shot about 1(55 ducks and were still shooting. Captain Sanderson said that he believed that the time was noit far dis. taut when it would be necessary to put the grey duck on the.list, of absolutely protected birds.