TRANSFER OF BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 19, 22 July 1932, Page 9

TRANSFER OF BIRDS

PROJECT OPPOSED

SOCIETY'S CONTENTIONS

The opposition of the Native Bird Protection7 Society to. the transfer of bell birds from a sanctuary to aaother locality is expressed by Mr. Johannes C- Andersen, in commenting on a request for the society's approval gf another transfer.

"In any locality where the bell-bird' or other bird is to stay, it must be able to finu food, and find it all the year round. It is "useless to transfer the birds first and then plant the trees and shrubs afterwards to feed them," Mr. • Andersen writes. "If those wishing for the transfer are really in earnest, they will first provide the food and shelter by planting; and once there is a supply of food and shelter they may one. day be surprised and pleased to' find the birds have come of their own accord; they, respond very readily to ah invitation of that kind. Moreover, the birds themselves are' the best judges "of what areas provide for .their needs, and they will not neglect such areas... , , . ~.■■, :... " ■ . HOW TO ATTRACT BIRDS. "Again, it is no use a few people only inviting ,the birds while hundreds of people in 'the locality are indifferent, Success will come "only when the hundreds nre'in earnest and a tew only indifferent. Many of our'birds will live only among our native 'trees;, when these are : destroyed, naturally'the birds desert the desolated areas. They are not, however, nyerse from all the. introduced trees; flowering Rums invite; them, tree lucerne, both,because of their nectar; the arbutus because of its strawberry-like fruits. Apart from' the birds, too, the native trees are beautiful in • foliage, in flower, in fragranqe;' people' planting them -will' enjoy their beauty: while waiting for the'birds— until' they ;are iri;-tbe happy position of; ssiy. rthe New Plymonth >eople with .their PukekuraPark, in. which I have seen-five tuis in dne.small tree, all;vocal and cheerful and quite at! home—they were, no doubt, that season'sifamily.not yet scattered. It may be crossing the minds of some that no indication has been given of; the -trees suitable. Some of the riurseryjneh now issue special catalogues of trees-'suitableiior various "soils and positions, :trees that yield nectar for. the birds,' and trees that yield ' berries. However, a list. that-Will serve as a beginning will be published; in'a few'days.'. ':" ;./'.; DISTANCES TRAVELUED. ; '■]:'%\ Is sifrprising theJ distance the'birds wiucome^ —and one' cannot say- how'they V irn* of the J food supply that' "may ' be. miles .from^'the- bush "they usually frequent; ■•■"-, For several consecutive seasons friends i from Havelock North; have told me, .ofvthe,coming of the tui " r when, the red,gum is'in flower,, and they must have 3Tde from, miles'away. More than once Ihave seen' and heqxd the ttii in our. own Bolton, street Cenietery; the nearest' biisb on the; otherrside of ■ the' harbour, or. up'theJfuttValley.1 They did.'not come from Wilton's Bush, "since that bush for many years .was visited by ; solitary bird that.) came probably -from Khandallah— putj.ii; could 'not induce a mate to- stay there.— It, is'hoped there-will soon be concerted action 6n the part of our bird lovers;! that they will! plant chains .of gardens > linking .sanctuary'; to sanctuary, bush ,to: bush; shrubberies of native plants, \or rnative' and exotic mixed; then it;;will,be again, a singing land noted for its unique^ birds and unique trees. It is not only in private gardens this can be done; recreation reserves,, domains, odd unuseable . bits .of cullies or hillsides—all may; be. planted, air will grow trees, all may be made', attractive to our birds and attractive to ourselves. .All bird lovers and -tree.,lovers^are appealed to to help bring back the' beautiful. past of old New Zealand";"*.;!---''..!:..-,:?: ~?:-j ■. ;• ■•:■, ■;•■ ' J ;.ir ■