PROTECTING BIRD LIFE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 February 1925, Page 16

PROTECTING BIRD LIFE.

WHAT AMERICA DOES. At the annual meeting of the Wild Life Preservation Society of New South .vales one of the most interesting items |of the evening was an address by Mrs. vauv Bates Post) wife of the American actor, on how wild life is esteemed in ,ie United States. Mrs. Bates Post pleaded guilty to having when she was younger, worn bird plumes in her hat, but when she found that the plumes were taken from slaughtered birds she east them off. In America the wearing of bird’s plumage, such as egrets and birds of paradise, was not permitted. Some people did not like this, but it must be remembered that the wearing ol these was never done bv the majority, only by a minority. “In our country we sometimes have box parties —I don’t know your language well enough to express myself as well as 1 would lilc* but sometimes they are caked picnics. We take a bun or .something to eat, and go by motor cars—and you must remember that a Ford can take people quite a long way. We have some very good roads in America, and can go right away from the towns, away, ;it>a.v ’*>to the country, and we can have ni„ bun or whatever we have brought with us, and listen to the birds singing. And it is lovelv; it is heavenly.

i “Since we have been here we have ! gone away into the country with a friend, and had our oilly tea, which 1 1 adore, and have enjoyed ourselves | very much ; but I was disappointed in not hearing more of your Australian song birds. Perhaps we did not go to the right place, but there seemed to be a silence. In our country the song I birds are beautiful.” Alluding to a remark made by a previous speaker that those who wished to protect the wild life of this country seemed to lie. in the minority, and the society suffered accordingly from lack -of members and of funds, she counselled courage. “Christ had only twelve apostles, you know. Humane societies seem always to he in a minority, hut they can do a lot of good. In my country the hoys who go about with sling shots —I don’t know what they are called here, but that is our name for them.” Mrs. Bates Post indicated by placing her fingers apart, and pulling an imaginary rubber."and then letting it got what sh n meant. It was a catapult. “Well, that is not allowed in our country. The people there are very humane, and so are most the people everywhere. We don’t let the wild men that race round with nests on sticks and catch butterflies—and stick nins through them afterwards—we don't let them do it. Think of the torture ol it.”

FinalL- Mrs, Bates Post advocated co ooeration of humanitarians. Let them get together, let them train the vonng, and it was wonderful what might be accomplished.