THE DESTRUCTION OF HAWKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21147, 3 October 1930, Page 3

THE DESTRUCTION OF HAWKS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —The protectors of our native birds, the members of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, are again on the warpath. By advertisement m the Times, they have _ put a price on the harrier hawk, provided'he is killed in the society’s district. Now, there is only one possible reason for killing hawks, and that is because they may attack young pheasants and quail on game farms. Anywhere else there is little doubt that the hawk does much more good than harm. That he is seen flying away from the warm body of a bird is no proof that he killed it. He is partial to carrion, and, with his remarkable sight, he quickly discovers any titbit. Apart from his value as an eater of carrion, particularly in the rabbitinfested districts of Otago, these facts have been proved, that the harrier renders extremely useful service in the destruction of rats, mice, and all the larger insect pests, such as crickets and locusts, of which, by reason of its large size, voracious appetite, and most assiduous hunting, it must ’ capture incalculable numbers. As men we like to feel that we • should be judged by the useful duties we' presumably perform, rather than by the errbrs -we make. Why not judge a bird — even a hawk—hy a similar standard? 1 believe if the people of this country knew of the value of the hawk to the farmer they would withhold their fire when he flies over. No one would object to the societies shooting their own hawks on their own game farms, but to declare war on guilty and innocent alike savours of savagery. 'Besides, might not the lack of imported game be traced to another source, that of imported ground vermin and the competition of imported birds for the food, supply? The Auckland Society kills 15,000 hawks annually, yet the game does not increase. Might it not be that by killing the hawk they allow ground vermin to increase?—l am, etc., ' ■_ Ki.HU.