OPOSSUMS AND BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 13 September 1928, Page 18

OPOSSUMS AND BIRDS

♦— DO THEY AGREE? INQUIRY SOUGHT Replying to questions raised afc the recent Acclimatisation Societies' Conference and presented to him by a delegation, the Under-Sccrctary of Internal Affairs, writing to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society at its meeting last night, said: — "With reference to the discussion of the societies relative to tho question of the liberation of opossums in further areas, and to tho deputation which waited on me, I submitted the representations made to the Minister, and he has indicated that while he is prepared to re-submit the question to Cabinet, ho would be glad, prior to doing so, to obtain reports from each acclimatisation society relativo to the effect generally of opossums ou bird life- in their respective districts. I shall be glad if your society will arrange for reports to bo submitted m regard to the parts of your district where opossums are found, the reports to contain a statement as to the kinds of native birds in tho areas at tho times referred to, indicating the rarity or otherwise of any particular species. In addition, the reports should give particulars of tho exact kinds of bird food available in these districts, such as insect life, berries, etc., showing what kind of food is most abundant, and which kind the birds, generally spuaking, live on." The chairman (Mr. L. 0. 11. Tripp) said that the delegation had mado it clear to the Minister that it was not desired to trap opossums in districts where there were- ground-living native birds; The TJnder-Secretary had ask-' ed if opossums ate the food of such native birds, but the first thing to discover was what part the stoats and weasels took in the vanishing of the native birds. The stoats and weasels were turned out in the '70's, and early in the '80's it was stated that such native bird protection was impossible owing to tho presence of stoats and weasels. Guthrie Smith, an eminent bird authority, had stated that the rat, formerly killed out by the vanishing weka, was now tho worst enemy of native birds, as it ate their eggs. When the- speaker had said at tho conference that some Southern birds were increasing, he had also referred to the question of trapping and keeping down vermin in sanctuaries. This was supported by the views of trappers thein-^ selves. Mr. Tripp read a letter ho had received from a bushman and prospector in the West Coast who said ho was in touch with the opossum trappers and referred to the large number of vermin which are in the bush and are killed every year by the trappers and in the course of his letter he said: "I have observed that the bush country where trappers are operating bird life is gradually increasing on account of the vermin which is destroyed every year." Mr. G. M'lntosh raised the desirability of regulations stipulating that opossums should be caught alive, which would not be inimical to native birds. The chairman suggested the offering of a reward for a trap which would meet these needs. "They have such traps in Tasmania," said Mr. M'lntosh. On his motion it was decided to find out all about such traps. Mr. B. J. C. Wiffcu quoted other authorities to the effect that, rats were native birds worst enemies, Mi\ C. Bould said that- the question would at once be raised of the damago done to bird's eggs by opossums. As regarded traps, he was in favour of using snares only. He would as soon go out with snares as traps. Mr. Wiffen thought a definite issne should be reached forthwith. The Department was far from unsympathetic with the society, and ho moved that all the information sought be given as toon as possible. Mr. Dyer asked if it had ever been proved that opossums ate- eggs or young birds. The chairman said that Professor Kirk had examined tho stomachs of many opossums and had found nothing to support such a belief. • He agreed, with Mr. Wiffen that all efforts should be made to get the Government the desired information. It was significant that where the birds were increasing in the south, opossums were very numerous. Stoats and weasels had even attacked penguins in the Southern Bounds. Tho matter was referred to a committee to ascertain the information and supply it.