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Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 89, 13 January 1928, Page 5

Farmers are complaining loudly concerning the havoc that is wrought bv small birds among the earlv-ripening cereal crops (says the Timaru “Herald”). It is stated that the small bird nuisance is worse this season than ever it has been in South Canterbury, and that some of the early oat crops, which promised to yield we/L will now scarcely be worth cutting, lhe need for concerted action of farmers to destroy small birds in the winter months is urged. One grain-grower said that he had obtaned excellent results last winter by feeding the birds on wheat poisoned with strychnine and lie considers that it would pay all farmers to adopt this method of getting rid of the destructive small birds.

It is quite a common sight to see a couple of minahs keeping a cat on the run, whilst they fly in close circles round her, striking and pecking fiercely at her until she gains the seclusion of a cover. The other day, however, some minahs on the Haye, lock road showed even a higher spirit (says the “Tribune”). They were strutting on the middle of the road when a terrier, in sheer exuberance and overflow of energies, shot ott tne pathway, bent on their destruction. The birds, however, just rose a tew ieet and then commenced a.screaming ana vigorous attack on the amazed canine, using beak and claw, wflh such effect that the howling animal. fled. for hlls life, putting up good time in his sprint for shelter.

In olden days horses were taken to the drinking trough, but the other morning a motor lorry with two competitors 6 for the Dargaville races on board pulled up at a Whangarei bowser while the racehorses stood m lordly state on the floor of the vehicle (sajs the “Northern Advocate”).