THE PUKEKO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 31 March 1936, Page 6

THE PUKEKO

IS IT DESTRUCTIVE? GOVERNMENT REPORT QUOTED A denial that the pukeko was a destructive bird, as claimed by recent complaints to the {Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) was made on Saturday by Captain E. V. Sanderson, a representative of the Forest and Bird Protection Society. In support- of his opinion, Captain Sanderson quoted an enquiry made by the Department of Internal Affairs in 1929-30 about the contents of the stomach of the pukeko. This enquiry was conducted in Manawatu, Otago, Southland, and North Canterbury, and in the North Canterbury district, for example, where it'was said the bird was causing damage to stacks, the enquiry showed that the contents of the stomach of the bird were macerated vegetation (grass) and a few clover leaves. A few months later the contents of the stomachs of another two birds were examined, and this time macerated grass and other vegetation were found. In Southland, the birds (examined were taken near cultivated land. Their stomachs were found to contain macerated vegetation (grass). Other birds were shot in an oat paddock, but no oats were found in them, there being only stalks and heads of weeds and other vegetation. Similar results to those obtained in these two districts were had in the other places. “What is the use of making an official enquiry if persons never bother to remember the conclusions of the enquiry 1 asked Captain Sanderson.