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Otago Witness, Issue 3871, 22 May 1928, Page 60

The general opinion expressed by Ashburton County farmers is that the small, bird nuisance of years ago (when it was estimated that the average toll the wheatgrower paid on his crop was two bushels, per acre) is gradually decreasing (says the Guardian). Two factors are advanced as the cause; the felling of the plantations and the close trimming of gorse hedges. Farmers assert that the main .breeding grounds now are the riverbeds, where gorse and broom grow practically unresticted. If this area fdr propagation could be cleared there would be very little loss of grain from the bird pest in the outer districts. The nearer the towns the larger the flocks of sparrows, and it is suggested, that a more vigorous poisoning campaign by householders, aided by free grain from locaFujithorities; would, be an additional precaution against any increase of the pest.