PRESERVING BIRD LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19957, 28 May 1928, Page 8

PRESERVING BIRD LIFE.

An international conference for the preservation of bird life has just been held in Geneva. That city is continually the scene of conferences on a range of topics that seems almost to span the whole of human existence. One devoted to the interests, not of human beings, but of birds, is an interesting extension, with a background of serious value. To preserve birds from destruction because of their beauty of plumage and song, their grace in flight, is in itself a worthy object. The world is not growing better if it cannot consider such things. But safeguarding the birds is also a work of value to the world from a strictly utilitarian viewpoint. They play an important part in preserving the balance of nature ; they help to keep in check insects which, allowed tp multiply unchecked, menace crops and pastures ; the honey-eaters are often an important factor in the pollination of flowers, especially of forest trees. There are other functions fulfilled by birds; and if sometimes they do an accurate summing up would show the balance to be heavily in their favour. Both for their beauty and their usefulness they have a strong claim on mankind. Modern conditions and the spread of civilisation have struck a heavy blow at many species. It is well that they should be guarded from avoidable perils, since the destruction of forests, the draining of swamps and other changes in the face of the world already menace them enough. The Geneva Conference, therefore, is worthy of a sympathetic thought. It is not likely New Zealand was represented there, though it might well have been, remembering what has happened to many of the birds native to this country. y