THE PUKEKO

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3767, 10 June 1936, Page 3

THE PUKEKO

SHOULD BE PROTECTED BIRD-LOVER’S PLEA “No real sportsman would call pukeko-shooting sport. What then, is the object? Upland game birds, such as pheasant and quail, are becoming a thing of the past, while waterfowl are also rapidly decreasing, so the shootist has to fall back on the humble pukeko! Alas! What degradation!" In this way the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand heads an article “The Pukeko Acquitted in 1930—Should be Protected.” Fair play is bonny play, and the pukeko is entitled to his full, measure as a true New Zealander, continues the article. He does a great deal of good, and is so trusting, so innocent and so ungainly in movement that nobody but a gun owner with a poor idea of sport would desire to shoot such a bird.

The past practice was for the Minister to issue a special permit to any farmer who complained of damage being done by the pukeko. A full investigation of the food habits of the pukeko was made seven years ago. Yet, Acclimatisation Societies have persuaded the Minister to declare a short season for pukeko! Hunters have suddenly professed a desire to aid- farmers —a trick practised in other countries with the same object. It is not denied that the bird may at times do some little harm, but the damage is frequently grossly exaggerated.

Many farmers will resent the shooting of pukeko and order shootists off their properties. On a former occasion, one farmer was so incensed that he chased away shooters with an axe. In another district, Paraparaumu, an Acclimatisation Society member incurred much illwill by shooting pukeko which had been hand fed and cared for by some of the residents. School boys and others had become much attached to these birds. It is conceded that the man on the land has to put up with much as the result of damage done by creatures imported to provide shooting, but the pukeko is indigenous and is acceded with the land, not thrust upon the fanner, who is usually well able to look after his interests. Most sportsmen would not cross the road to kill pukeko because they are after sport, not merely killing.

A stomach content survey was conducted by the Department in 1930, to ascertain whether the pukeko really did all the Harm attributed to. it by

Acclimatisation Societies. Specimens were collected by Acclimatisation Societies from various districts and the examination was official. It will be noticed that three birds consumed some wheat in the autumn after all crops had been gathered. They must therefore, either have taken the grain from the stacks, or gleaned it. Otherwise the bill of fare was mostly macerated vegetation. It may be asked, “What is the use of spending money on research work if the results are ignored?” The Acquittal Two birds taken from swamp in Manawatu: Stomach contents, macerated green material, mostly grass. Two birds taken on 6/1/29 from swamp in Manawatu: Macerated green vegetation, and seeds of Lolium perenne and buttercup. Four birds taken on 19/2/29 from swamp with crop of partridge peas in near vicinity in Manawatu: Macerated vegetation, and seeds of Lolium perenne, Poa annua, Eleocharis ovata, Carex sp., and Glyceria fluitans. Two birds taken on 21/5/29 from crop of rape: Macerated vegetation, fathen and sedgewood. Two birds taken on 29/5/29 from swamp area with crop of rape in near vicinity: M'cerated vegetation ..glass) and duckweed. Two birds taken on 5/11/28 from vicinity -of cropping areas: Small roots and little macerated green material; also remains of insect larvae and spider.

Two birds taken on 1/5/29 two miles from cropping area: Vegetation, few clover leaves and rush seeds. Two birds taken on 5/8/29 from cropping area: (a) Macerated vegetation and crop half-full of wheat; (b) macerated vegetation and one barley grain. Two birds shot in oat paddock: No oats found; stalks and heads of weeds and other vegetation. Two birds taken in 25/6/29 beside an oat-stack: Macerated vegetation, oat and rush seeds.

Two birds taken on 23/4/29 alleged to be causing damage to stacks: Macerated vegetation (grass); few clover leaves.