NATIVE GREY DUCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 11

NATIVE GREY DUCK

CLOSE SEASONS DESIRED SOCIETY AT WANGANUI "The committee of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society lias been endeavouring tor several years without avail to secure the imposition of periodical close seasons for native grey duck throughout the whole of the North Island." states the annual report of the society. "The merits of the proposition seem to lie favourably recognised, but as a close season would entail the usual ranging, some societies are not in a position to face the loss in revenue.

"This is a short-sighted policy, as the position will have to be faced in the long run, and further delay is jeopardising the preservation of our finest sporting bird. In some quarters a suggestion has been made that the licence fee be increased to compensate for the close seasons. The new .Minister of Internal Allairs has a keen appreciation of acclimatisation matters and has announced his intention of convening a conference of interested parties in the near future. We are hopeful that this matter will receive some consideration at the conference.''

BROWN-TEAL SPECIES

QUESTION OF BREEDING

It was yet to be proved that the brown-teal duck could not be reestablished in New Zealand, said Air. M. E. Fitzgerald, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, when the tagging of birds was raised.

The brown-teal was a native to New Zealand, said Mr. Fitzgerald. There appeared to be no reason why the society should not make some effort to breed these ducks in captivity, and reestablish them in the country, instead of spending money on the introduction of breeds from other countries. In the north of Auckland there were a number of the brown-teal and tlie.y had been shot in greater number than the grey duck. In the north, however, they were known as the black-teal.

The question of tagging pheasants was raised by Mr. D. D. Wilson, who said some valuable information concerning breeding and liberation could thus be ascertained. It was decided to recommend tho tagging of birds to the council.