NATIVE BIRDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 6

NATIVE BIRDS.

SUGGESTED SANCTUARIES. WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. ; Golf links should be made sauttusries ifor birds, and suitable trees should be .planted in the vkdnity which would provide fcod for the native birds, sa: 1 Mr L. O. H. iripp. president, at the , annual meeting of the New Zeaiar i ! Acclimatisation Society yesterday. Mr Tripp said that wherever afforestation work was done it should include trees, such as n:;-.s which would gre-w berries for food supplies for the birds. If that- was done generally it. would preserve the native birds in suite e: s pests such as steals and weasels. Lots. ■ bodies when purring in planar; c-r.? . snona not forget bird life, and should include certain kinds of trees which would attract them. He thought golf ■ fifths sncul-d be made sanctuaries for birds, as was done in America. Simj thing in that way had been done at Heretaanga. and he had recently ncticed a number _cf tcis there. He did not recommend the sycamore as it seeded too freely and was liable to vise our . the native bush.

The speaker referred, to the number of German owls which were kflSng cr the native birds, and while thev might be? cf some use, the society should take steps to reduce the number. In regard to stoats and weasels, he thought the time_ had come when, the Government should lift the nroteettor. Thev had been useful in killing rabbits, but tbsv who preyed on native birds, and were reducing the wekss and other srecies. Nests of stoats and weasels had beer found lined with feathers cf native buds. Something should also be cere in rererence to hedgehogs, which, while -toying grubs, also ate the eggs cf greimd birds. They were iseresiirg. Members generally exteesec annroval ot the president's suggestion that aroresration. work should include a preportion of trees which would t>rovide food for native birds.