BIRDS ATTACKING SHEEP.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3318, 13 October 1871, Page 2

BIRDS ATTACKING SHEEP.

TO THE EDITOK OF THE INDEPENDENT.

Sib, — In your daily Independent of date 9th October, 1871) you publish an article interesting to tho sheep-owner, tho public generally, and last of all to the naturalist. Tho article is headed " Birds Attacking Sheep," and as in many numbers of your widely circulated paper you have brought the subject of tho unfortunate sparrow and other insect eating birds under the notice of your numerous readers, I feol anxious to put in a word in favor of tho nestor notabilis. I have perused most carefully tho statements and opinion of Mr Henry Campbell, of Wanaka station, and regret to say it does him anything but credit. Tho beautiful nostor notabilis claims Now Zealand as its native country, having been resident, probably, hundreds of years previous totheudventof runholdors and their thousands of sheep. lam not at present aware whether tho natural history of tho'nestor notabilis — boyond its stuffed skin — has been givon ; but by forwarding one or two specimens at different seasons of the year to the Museum, something better than Mr Oampbel's supicion that they are blood-suckers might be procured. A friend has suggested to me that the nestor might want the wool to build his nest as a substitute for something the sheep has converted into mutton. But we have quantum sufficit of conjectures, and I conclude this short notice with repeating my request of having a few specimens at different seasons of the year collected from tho wholesale murder recommended by Mr Campbell, sent to the Museum in Wellington. — I am, &o, E. P.S.—I would recommend the Sheep Inspector to overhaul the Wanaka station, aB the Nestor notabilis may possibly be doing his work,