WAR ON INSECT PESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 11

WAR ON INSECT PESTS

PLEA FOR NATIVE BIRDS NEED OF MORE TREES INCREASE IN FOOD SUPPLY The opinion that native birds do valuable work for farmers and orchardists in keeping down insect pests was expressed by the president of the Wellington Acclimatisiation Society, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, who left on a holiday visit to Great Britain last week, in a letter to the executive of the society. "Since 1912 I have advocated the planting of flower and berry-bearing trees as a food supply for our native birds, my idea being that if we can increase the food supply for our birds more will survive, in spite of vermin," wrote Mr. Tripp. "The acclimatisation societies generally have taken the matter up. Tho consequence is that many people have planted trees with the object of supplying food for our birds. "I think that our local bodies and others w r hen planting should remember the birds. When planting it is advisable, if possible, where the land is suitable, to plant native trees, but there are also many exotic trees which are of quick growth and supply food for the birds. I was in Canterbury last week, and in a mixed plantation consisting of eucalyptus, elm, laburnum, laurel trees, etc., I saw pigeons, fsntails, bell birds, tom-tits, and the little warbler. "Apart from the question of encouraging our native birds, 1 think everyone to-day should realise the necessity for increasing the bird life in the Dominion. Unfortunately, owing to the stoats, weasels, cats, hedgehogs, and other vermin, and owing to the poisoning of rabbits with pollard, the bird life in certain parts of the country has, I understand, materially decreased. The consequence is that the insect life is increasing "I would warn anyone against planting sycamore in or near plantations or native bush. Sycamore trees have no value so far as birds are concerned, and unfortunately increase so fast that in certain districts they are taking charge of plantations, and are a menace to our native bush."