BIRD LIFE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19032, 9 June 1924, Page 11

BIRD LIFE

THE COLLECTING MANIA. OFFICIAL PERMITS TO LEGALISE DESTRUCTION. Some notes issued by the New Zealand Native Birds’ Protection' Society include the following interesting and instructive comment: "In all probability much more is spent in destroying our birds than in efforts towards their preservation. Some of the wealthiest men in the world are keen bird collectors, and to send a man out here from England or America is but a small expense to them. What do tLpy care for New Zealand as against their collection? ONLY IMAGINE IT! ‘‘The strangest thing of all is that some of these visitors are given official permits, thus legalising our bird’s destruction. Would the collectors be as liberal with their own birds? One American applied for, and, it is said obtained, a permit to take 50 of each species. Fancy removing 50 huias if obtainable! Another is said to nave poached 60 Stiteh birds off a sanctuary. Museums have been known to dispose of their own collection to foreigners, and then apply for a permit tu replace them. WITH AND WITHOUT PERMITS. "Then we have our own local collectors, some with permits and some without. These will often be looked on as bird-lovers, and say for their own ends it is useless to try and preserve our birds, and that they are best put in glass cases. “The question of issuing permits is a vital one. All such issued should be ‘Gazetted,’ and the people of New Zealand arc entitled to know what is going on, and should insist on this being done.

IS IT A MISTAKE? "A great mistake has without doubt been committed by exhibiting specimens of our birds at the Empire Exhibition like go much butter and cheese, and is more than likely to induce collectors to come out. With practically no efficient legal protection, our unfortunate birds fall .an easy prey. ‘‘Thus it is, everywhere one goes and mentions birds to the older generation, one is immediately told in glowing words how plentiful our birds and the game birds once were. A great amount of poaching and collecting goes on, and the question put in answer may, therefore, be excused‘ls it a compliment to our past management that such should be the case, and ought we not rather be ashamed that it should be ’ Our past methods have undoubtedly failed. Let us try those methods which have not so failed in other countries. It is in the interests of all to improve matters.”