NATURE—AND MAN

Grey River Argus, 9 June 1933, Page 8

NATURE—AND MAN

Callous Collectors SIR WALTER BULLER ARAIGNED. (Edited by Leo. Fanning). Sir Walter Buller, distinguished author of “A History of the Birds Of New Zealand,” has been dead for many years. Although, in accordance with the classic adage, “nothing but good.” should bo said about him, it is necessary to condem his collecting zeal which took heavy toll of native birds, even when lie knew that they were becoming rare. He was really fond, of birds in the wild state, but that liking took second l>lace then the collecting fervour was upon him. His one object was to kill at any cost. A previous article mentioned his heart-racking raids on the beautiful huias in the Ituahine Range of tho North Island. The birds fell easy victims to their curious confidence in their murderers. Even' when two huias—a mated pair—were caressing each other with their beaks, they were not spared. They were swept to death by one charge of shot, and although Sir Walter was not the culprit in that ease, he has to share tho guilt, because the deed was done by lone of his servants. He recorded his | sense of regret, but admitted that he was pleased, to- have tho specimens. On other occasions he was just as barbarous himself with the gun. In his second volume Sir Walter mentions an expedition which resulted in the killing of many kiwis, one of which was eaten. Ho was also on the alert for other specimens. “’At daybreak,’ he wrote, “one of tho native attendants called mo up to hear the rich flute-notes of the kokako (native crow) in the low timber at the edge of the forest. I went after him with my gun. but owing to the thickness of tho undergrowth I failed to find the bird." By “failed to find" Sir Walter meant, of course, “failed to kill." THRILLS OF THE KILLS. The truth is that Sir Walter Buller, on his own confession, was more a museum man than a. bird-lover for the ■birds’ sake. Here is the introduction to his “Conclusion" of his second volume:

“Having now scut my last, sheet to press, I cannot altogether dispel a feeling of regret that my work is finished, for it lias been a source of much enjoyment to me since my arrival in England. Few persons who arc not themselves ornithologists can fully realize what, this statement implies. The truth is this: In imagination I have lived over again the pleasantest part of my colonial life. In memory I have recalled the bright dewy morning, row five-and-thirty years ago, when I shot i my first koheperoa in the old Mission garden at Tangiteroria, and found my beautiful prize lying on tho sward with its banded wings and tail stretched out to their full extent. I have remembered, the delight with which, almost as long ago, I shot in the Tangihua. mountains my first piopio, a bird so rare at the far north, even at that time, that it was entirely unknown to the natives of the district." Ponder well, friends, on these words: “Aly beautiful prize lying on the sward with its banded wings ami tail stretched out to their full extent," No smitten bird could have been more considerate Iu a collector. In that sudden death it took the right pose to give Sir Walter a thrilling view -lot' the plumage. CUT OUT THE COLLECTORS. People of New Zealand, will you continue to tolerate that kind of collecting, of which Sir Walter Buller was guilty? Remember, people. Hint pleuty of collectors, since Sir Walter committed his acts of vandalism, have

surpassed his occasional callousness. Insist on a cessation of permits for the killing of any so-called “ protected ,r native bird, even if it belongs to a species l which is not now threatened with extinction. New Zealand has not nearly enough tuis and bell-birds. People of New Zealand, use your strength of voice and vote to ensure the survival and increase of your birds. Sentiment alone should win your support for your feathered friends, but even the motive ot selfinterest should induce you to wage war against your birds’ enemies—deer, wild goats, German owls, stoats, ferrets, weasels, c at s a,| d collectors. Your birds help to conserve and propagate your native forest on which the welfare of much of your country depends. picture better than dead BIRDS. A collector’s stuffed bird is usually I a, very mournful looking specimen, I which may vary absurdly from the 1 original shape and characteristic poise. Good coloured pictures of the birds arc preferable to those sorry exhibits. The Native Bird Protection . Society is wisely using some hundreds of pounds on the printing of a big book in which the native birds will be accurately portrayed in their full natural colours. A keen demand is anticipated for this book, which will be published within the next few weeks. SOUND-FILM OF BELL-BIRD CHORUS. Would you like t 0 hear the bell-bird chorus which charmed Captain Cook and Sir Walter Buller, although it did not stop him from killing many of those marvellous songsters? The Native Bird Protection Society knows where and how a sound-film chorus of bell-birds can be taken, but it Jacks money to cover the cost. It is estimated that the expenditure, including contingencies, would not exceed £lOO. Here is the opportunity for lovers of the native birds to do something good, ■ something which would help immeasurably in strengthening public opin- - ion on behalf of all native birds, some- ’ thing which would also give a very -J

pleasant impression of New Zealand in many countries overseas. Who will offer the first subscription towards the cost of the heavenly chorus SAVE THE SANCTUARIES. Gentlemen of 1 lie House of Representatives, you know that successive Governments acting on behalf of New Zealand’s people, have made numerous reservations of native forest for the salvation of scenery and birds. These reserves arc supposed to bo sanctuaries, but the birds do not think so. ’Gentlemen, yon know that if the birds :had votes as well as notes you would

be more concerned for their ■welfare. In some cases, persons have been granted permits to remove dead wood from the reserves, but, alas, it is easy' to have such permits abused. Why lake the risk o f damage to the forests? Why not insist on a rigid protection of the sanctuaries. Frequently, one or another of New Zealand’s nuumcrous newspapers has reports of damage to native forests by deer. Here is a piece of news from a Christchurch paper:— “Reports arc frequently received of the increasing numbers of deer and chamois and ihe damaged caused, particularly by the latter, to the native

flora, states the annual report of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, lhe difficulty is to discover some practicable scheme within the means of the Board to check the menace.’’ Not long ago a similar complaint <ame from a. committee interested in the safeguarding of the beautiful forest girdle of Mt. Egmont, but in this ease the culprit is the omnivorous goat Which clears the way for deer in the recesses of forests in some other districts. People of New Zealand, the day has come for the declaration of a war of extermination’against. dee r and goats in your forests.