BIRD PROTECTION.

North Otago Times, 3 December 1910, Page 4

BIRD PROTECTION.

(Special to the Star..) Ohristchurch, December L Mr E. P. Stead, who has retimed to Christc-h'M-ch from a visit to Australia, statM that in the Commonwealth! aftive steps are being taken to bring under the notice of children the desirableness of protecting native •birds. In the schools' the children are asked to sign a declaration that they will no'. Interfere with native tods or their nest or their young l . Bird •lay in the schools, is, also* helping to preserve bird life. As to the ladies' weakness for decorating . thfjt oonnets with plumage, it is proposed to introduce a measure prohibiting any person from wearing the feathers of any native bird. In Sydney and Mel--1)0 urns Mr (3tefad discussed •' with several Australian naturalists the importation of owls into New. Zoaland ■to . deal with small birds. Speakingi from Australia's experience of introduced birds, they said that they were very doubtful if any permanent 'good would be gained by the presence of thv owls imported here in recent years. Mr Stead remarked to a reporter yesterday that on Ms way up from Dunedin'.'. he went through districts where 'the owls were supposed to.exist, but as. far as he could;, Bparrlo.ws and other small birds were just as^

plentiful and destructive, as ever. In;! Melbourne Mr Stoad Waa shown several hiiia leathers, and was r-t'Sle to tell the possessor of thea that' they were more valuable than,had been . supposed,' He intends to make another attempt to, capture some living specimen*,, to beiplaced in one oi the bird nanctuaries, and will probably go in March into the ■RanfjltikeWisI trict, near the Maungaterau River I and Mbuitt Aorangi, where he spent I some ten days oh the same pest this year.