VALUE OF BIRDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 15

VALUE OF BIRDS.

IMPORTATIONS. FROM ABROAD USES IN AGRICULTURE. LECTURE BY MR. FALLA. The habits of various birds imported into New Zealand formed the basis of an address on "Birds and Their Relation to Agriculture," given by Mr. 11. A. Fall® before tho Auckland Agricultural Science Club last evening. Mr. Falla said birds, because of their habits of feeding on insects or fruit, had an interest to agriculture. Tho pioneers in the Dominion were confronted with a difficult problem, that of keeping insects in check. They turned to utilising those birds which they knew from experienco were capable of keeping insect life in check, and sent to the Homeland for different species.

Tho chief questions which tho early settlers considered were tho need of ob- . taining birds which were non-migratory and wero prolific breeders, and of obtaining a bird \v;hich was not only an insect eater, but which also fed on seeds. In all, over 130 different species had been introduced by acclimatisation societies and other bodies of standing. Fortunately, only from 25 to 30 had been definitely established Dealing with various birds, the speaker said tho European sparrow had been introduced in 1865, the first importations being to Auckland. While tho sparrow de- ? stroyed millions of insects annually, mainly caterpillars and other destructive larvae, on tho other hand, it fed on tho smaller cereals and soft germinating grain, * it£i beak being strong enough to attack ; such corn as maize. Among tho other types of finches acclimatised in the-Do- .- minion wero tho green finch and the chaffinch. The green finch was a greater pest than the- sparrow, but fortunately it was not so numerous. The goldfinch had ► never been very common in Europe, but had increased to an enormous extent in New Zealand,, its chief feature being its habit of destroying the seeds of weeds. \ Tho yellowhamrner was another bird which must bo classed with tho finch as having more drawbacks than advantages, as it had a serious effect on germinating , seeds and pastoral crops. Tho blackbird which had been introduced for sentimental reasons, had developed new habits in various directions, and while it was of , value in destroying snails, was said to destroy fruit. Tho thrush, on the other , hand, preferred slugs and snails to fruit, and was not so serious a pest. Starlings wero beneficial in normal numbers, but were a nuisance in large numbers, and while it had been proved they ; would eat some of the worst garden pests, such as crickets and grass-grubs,. they were a source of trouble in flocks. Among , the birds which were of benefit were the Australian magpie and tho hedge-sparrow, . which .were entirely insectivorous, whilo birds of doubtful value were pheasants, „ Californian and Virginian quail, chukor j and Hungarian partridges. In conclusion, Mr. Falla said tho first step necessary was to take records in every district in each month of the year, and then it would be definitely known what birds were harmful. There was a great need of some work of this sort in the Dominion, and the expense would not. . be great. It was a matter which should receive attention.

The lecture was illustrated by lanternslides of native and imported birds dealt ivith by the speaker.