GERMAN OWLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23004, 6 October 1936, Page 14

GERMAN OWLS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—ln my last letter published on August 24 I mentioned that after September 1 Is per head would be paid for owls. Since that date the number of birds received has fallen away by 50 per cent., attributable, I firmly believe, to their marked disappearance and not as. some would imagine to the reduction in price offered. People interested in the bird life of New Zealand must have noticed of late, with great satisfaction, the.almost total absence of the owl in town or country surrounding Dunedin. I appeal to everybody interested in our native birds to maintain the effort and leave no stone unturned to capture these pests, and I feel confident we are on the high road to complete their utter rout. ~ To those ladies and gentlemen who have so generously subscribed to my fund I wish to make the following statement:—For the 12 months ending August 31, 1936, the total number of birds- captured was 2100, while £221 was paid out in royalties, postages, and other expenses, and no fewer than 450 different boys and girls collected the royalties, showing how widely spread is the interest in the compaign. The following donations are acknowledged with thanks:—J. and A. M., £2; and J. S. S., £3. Funds are still required, and small sums would be greatly appreciated.—l am, etc., A. H. Fisher. Dunedin. October 2.