INCREASE OF MAGPIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 247, 17 September 1932, Page 3

INCREASE OF MAGPIES.

WELL ESTABLISHED IN

MANAWATU

WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. “Tho magpie lias undoubtedly increased rapidly within tile last few years and mav be seen in all parts ol the Wellington acclimatisation district,” stated Hanger T. Andrews, m a report upon the bird presented to tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening. “Recently I observed them far up on the hush line of tho Haurangi Forest near Cape Pailiser. They were until recent years much more plentiful in tho Turakina and Rangitikei districts than elsewhere, hut now they arc well established in the Manawatu, HOIO- - and Wairarapa districts. “1 have recently reported on the pugnacious temperament of this bird and pointed out that they are a positive danger when allowed to L\.ild their nests where children are in the habit of playing. I cannot see that they can ever become a grave danger to our bird life, for they are essentially a bird of tho open pastures and disiikc ground cover of any sort,” Mr Andrews observed. ‘‘They never penetrate far into heavy hush, and are usually content to perch an some dead tree at the edge of the clearings.” Ranger P. W. Willson reported that on a recent motor trip on the main I road from Wellington to Levin IS)5| magpies were counted irom the car From Lower Hint to Masterton 118 were counted, and from Lower Hutt through Haywards to Pahautamii 42 were seen, and from Featherston to Lake Ferry via Martinborough 119 magpies were observed. These were seen and counted in all eases while travelling by motor ear between the various places mentioned. In all a total of 474 magpies were counted during 221 miles travelled. The farmers generally spoke highly of the magpie and would not like to see them destroyed, but most of them agreed that they were pugnacious during the nesting season and would attack in an endeavour to drive away all intruders who ventured too close to their sanctuaries. One farmer stated that he had had to shoot two magpies because they swooped down on his children whenever they passed within _SO yards, of the ninus insignis in which the birds were nesting. “1 have seen magpies frequently attack hawks, and on one occasion, on the fringe of a iorest, I. saw two magpies chasing a pigeon. The pigeon cud not seem very concerned and easily evaded the attack of the magpie by Jiving deeper into the forest,” Mr Willson "related. “I have never scon a magpie attack any ef our smaller native birds, although I have been told of such cases.” ~ , Mr L. O. H. Tripp said that not all magpies were killers, although some were. He did not think that the protection should be removed, but that in eases such as that of the farinei and his children he should apply for leave to kill.