MAGPIE AS KILLER

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 22, 26 July 1933, Page 4

MAGPIE AS KILLER

SLEW WILD PIGEON

PICKED OUT LAMB'S EYES

Tho case against the magpie as a killer generally rests on tho killing by it of small birds. But Mr. Frank Willis, of Central Terrace, Kelburn, a member of the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, has been at some pains to enumerate cases of (1) picking out lamb's eyes, (2) killing a hen pheasant, (3) killing of fowl, (4) killing of native pigeon, all by magpies. These things have happened either under his own observation, or under the observation of reliable people. Tile facts, ho states, can be given immediate and convincing confirmation by reliable witnesses if anyone challenges them.

In order to put the evidence on record he forwards the following summary of it:—

"Evidence obtained against magpie, all first hand:—

"Picking Out of Lamb's Eyes.—This was seen by four shooting men who saw the magpie attack the lamb, and on examination found that tho eyes had been picked out. These observers are all willing to confirm this.

"Killing of Hen. Pheasant.—A shooting man saw a hen pheasant attacked by two magpies. He picked up the pheasant, and it died within a few minutes owing to injuries by magpies. Confirmation if required.

"Killing of Fowl. —In South Wairarapa a fanner who keeps fowls has frequently seen magpies attack them. On a recent Sunday he saw a hen attacked and killed by magpies. Has to keep fowls within netting. Confirmation if required.

"Killing1 of Native Pigeon.—Seen by myself and Mr. Butler. Magpies attacked pigeon whilst flying in the open, injured the wing so badly that the pigeon dropped to the ground and was picked up by myself. I kept.it for two days and released" it in a tree. Later I was informed that magpies again attacked it, being seen by a lady when doing this. The pigeon was picked up dead.

"Killing of Small Birds.—A Foxton resident told me that he had seen .'a magpie attack p, thrush; he picked up the thrush dead. This informant states that in tho nesting season ho has regularly seen the magpies attacking small birds in -the hedges, and that in the nests of magpies may be seen the remains of the dead birds with which, they have fed1 their young. He offers to show any one doubting- this statement nests of magpies with remains of small birds in them.

"Statements have been made that the magpie does not frequent or live in the native bush. I can show this is incorrect by inviting any doubter to visit a piece of native bush where there are a number of native pigeons 'and at least one hundred magpies all about it." ,