The Small bird Pest.

Otago Witness, Issue 1904, 18 May 1888, Page 17

The Small bird Pest.

Editor Wrrcrass,— Sir : The question of questions : to the farmer at the present time ia. How are we to cope with the plague of small birds? They are increasing at a most extraordinary rate, and their depredations are truly astounding. They begin their attack on the oats when it is but a short time ia the ■ ear, and they keep at it till there is not a pile left on, ■ or it may be only one or two left on a stalk. I And ' it is the best of the grain they take at first— the grain > that gives the farmer pleasure to look at growing. i Then it extend* its ravages over the, whole field, - leaving it a desolation; and the poor farmer seen > - nearly all his labour gone, with little more than the i the straw left. Such was my own experience wifcH a ) field of oats last harvest. They go now ia great • fiockß, just like a swarm of beei, and ftttgn on the > SBd there fjnieh their work, •''■■

The rabbit pest is only a fleabite compared with the small-bird peat. You can Bhoot, trap, snare, or poison rabbits, and the skin will pay expenses ; but ' not so the small bird. When you fire at.Shem they go off to part of the field, and, as it were, , laugh at jou for your pains. Now, Sir, what is to be done to Bave the country from their ravages ; for if it is not stopped soon the Government will have to deal with it as they had with the rabbits. Perhaps some of the readers of the Witness could suggest some feasible plan for their destruction that might be adopted by the farmers throughout the country. I am sure farmers need the benefit of all they can grow without Its being devoured by birds. Some yeais ago I suggested through the Witness that in ' districts where the pest existed the farmers should mcct — say, at the schoolhouse — to discuss the matter and then take united action. This was done In Merton, and we levied a voluntary tax of 3d per acre on land under crop ; but, alas for the result lit was a miserable failure. I know I only saw one or two dead birds. My impression is that we were not oupplied with the genuine article in the form of poison ; hence the failure. It was wheat poisoned with strychnine that we tried— at least, we thought it was strychnine. Perhaps some readers of the Witness will kindly give through its pages their experience in dealing with the peat Hoping to see this matter discussed through the Witness, -I am, &c, A Farmer. Merton, May 15.