CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8453, 2 December 1907, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

"THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH." (To the Editor.) Sir, —A local in your last Saturday's issue informs us that "the Maoris, in ancient times, were in the habit of imprisoning native black crickets .in little cages made of toi-toi canes, or bracken stalks," for the sake of their song; Evidently the Standard is not well versed in the entomology of New Zealand, for until fifty years ago, or less, the insect referred to .;,wasA.unknown to the natives. I recollect its arrival very well in the South Island, about the year 1861; and probably its was known a year or two earlier in parts of the North Island, because it was said to have been imported from South America, in fodder, during the Maori war. But whatever its habitat, like most New Zealand immigrants, it throve remarkably well, increasing in numbers to such an extent as to amount to almost a scourge. I have ■"often kept crickets in confinement in my school desk, and have'run courses with them against other youthful owners, for a small stake—and a large imposition. But the days of the cricket were soon numbered, for vjith the increase of imported birds he gradually disappeared, and where,like the native grasshoppers, he formerly throve in countless multitudes, now not a single specimen can be found. In my opinion, to the small English birds is also mainly attributable the disappearance of the pheasant. Iknow districts where pheasants were, at one time, very plentiful; but with s the advent of the sparrow, greenfinch, and other small birds, they gradually disappeared entirely, and this was long before rabbit poisoning, or the importation of the stoat and weasel. The pheasant poults evidently perished because they were unable to compete against their more active rivals in the search for food. Never was there a land favoured like New Zealand, as we found it, in its immunity from noxious birds, beasts, and other creatures hurtful to mankind, but we have succeeded in upsetting the balance of nature, just as effectually as labour Unions and so-called socialism are now choking all the natural channels of trade, enterprise, and individual effort and liberty.—l am, etc., GRYLLUS.