EFFECTS OF WASTE OIL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3497, 5 November 1926, Page 5

EFFECTS OF WASTE OIL

INJURY TO BIRD LIFELONDON, Oct. 22. In the Natural History Museum In London the authorities have been led to illustrate the injury done by oil from oil-burning ships to bird life, and especially to diving birds, says the "Times.” A ease arranged by Dr. Percy Lowe, assistant-keeper in charge of birds, offers a striking - object lesson of the harm done by discharging waste oil into the sea. A portion of a beach is represented at spring tide, with vaiious birds —including guillemot, razorbill and red-throated diver —-which are shown as they lie, washed up by the tide. The plumage of those birds has been defiled, and in some instances their feathers, which were orig/ally white, have been turned black. The oil also clogs the wings and impairs or prevents, flight. The evil is most prevalent in channels and in the vicinity of ports, and is to bo found particularly round the Isle of Wight and at Dungoncss, from which the beach in the exhibition case lias been obtained. It is of wide range, however, and is experienced not only in the. waters round the British isles, but also, all over Pin rope, notably at Constantinople and in the Adriatic.