MANY ENEMIES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 33, 8 August 1923, Page 16

MANY ENEMIES

WHY NATIVE BIRDS VANISH

Communications from hundreds of ardtnt bird-lovers from Hokianga to the Bluff are received by the New Zealand Native- Birds' Protection Society, writes the secretary, and the writer's inclination takes him into many out-of-the-way corners of this country, giving opportunities for observation and for discussing the disappearance of bird life with numbers of people whose experience renders their views worthy of, attention. The consensus of opinion, undoubtedly, points to the uncontrolled use of firearms as the main factor tending to the destruction of many species of our native birds, and of our rams birds. This: is not easily discernible to the casual observer, as the poacher and vandal naturally do not advertise their misdoings, and when it is remembered how ineffectual the control of matters appertaining to our wild life is, the results cannot be wondered at.' ,

Other factors are the destruction by children of all and sundry nests, native and imported, including fantails and even tuis, the illegal indiscrimnat© destruction of birds by the issuing of poison by road boards, and the sale of kiwis, and such like, which is not infrequent. Weasels, rats, and cats (domesticated and, wild) take a great annual toll of our bird life. The writer has heard of in-

stances where weasels, rats, and cats were quite a plague; individual animals having disposed of full-grown fowls and pheasants. The preservation of desirable wild life rests simply with a sufficiency of food, all the year round and the elimination or at least reduction of enemies. So far as the latter are concerned, no real effort is made towards their reduction. Vermin, including weasels, which are easily trapped, exist in other countries, i and are successfully competed with. Surely we can do what others can accomplish. The control of wild life, which affects all from the agriculturist down to the sportsman and fisherman, is such an intricate matter that it can hd satisfactorily dealt with only by those skilled in such matters. Sooner or later' this will, no doubt, be recognised, and the subject will receive the serious consideration it deserves. A large part of the vandalism and poaching: which goes on is attributable to a Jack of knowledge of the value of our bird life. On the other hand, it is j very pleasing to have to record the very great amount of spontaneous assistance which ■ has been rendered towards the objects which the society is formed to advocate, by the Press and hundreds of -Nature-loving patriots throughout the Dominion. With such people in our midst the future must surely be bright and the day surely come when New 2eaianders will look on the past merely as a regrettable nightmare. Many , other countries have gone through similar epochs ]to that which we are passing through, but only a few saw the con?iing^ results of wholesale destruction of bird life and took the necessary steps to secure efficient preservation before many of the most desirable birds had vanished for ever. In the United States for' instance, many societies were formed ™ prevent the total extinction of desirable birds. These societies after awhile overcome their fierce opposition of feather dealers and such persons. Very drastic laws were made and rigidly enforced in many States to prevent the extermination of birds which had been extraordinarly plentiful. Bird days to instruct the young were established in schools, ar.d the public at length recognised the value of bud life. If our native birds ma not. lostered, our forests, no matter how e&ciently managed, otherwise will dwindle and die out. The life of the one is interwoven with the other. The matter is one for all trus New Zealanders. Ifte torce of public opinion is required t pn* dS! n. P°ach«ig in the interests ot all. Efficient and many more sanctuaries, . including all State forests, are required, situated in various localities under the - supervision of men of the gamekeeper stamp, who attend to the destruction- of vermin, and the propagations of any bird species requiring attention, and the whole system must be under one controlling head to assure •unity of purpose. In America 50,000 people paid to camp on one such national sanctuary, no Sower; bird, or animal being allowed to be touched