NATURE-AND MAN

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19457, 22 December 1934, Page 4

NATURE-AND MAN

PERSECUTION OF HAWKS. ENEMIES OF RATS. (By Leo Fanning). An Acclimatisation Society recently had itself trounced because it encouraged school children to trap hawks by offering to buy the birds’ feet. Of course the -society tried to shield itself behind an old “tower of tosh” —the oft-aired allegation that the hawks killed many game birds. The society looked at the matter only from Its own viewpoint, -sport (whioh in this case means gun-play), and did not bother to think about the hawks’ important help In the war against rats, which are among the game-birds’ worst enemies, particularly during the nesting season, when the rodents devour plenty of eggs and fledglings. Recent observation of a hawk’s nest showed that the young were fed mostly on rats, young rabbits and mice.

Right to Live. It is true that hawks take ‘some birds, but this foil would be small in comparison with the vermin destroyed by the predators. Moreover, the majority of the smaller birds killed by hawks would be weaklings, whose death in the ordinary course would not be long delayed. The rights of birds of prey to earn a fair living are being championed vigorously in North America by the National Association of Audubon Societies (which are -similar to -the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society). Recently the association distributed widely a poster, in which the case for eagles, hawks and owl was tersely and brightly Put. Eagles and hawks, hy day, and owls by night,” the poster states, “’destroy rats, mice, gophers, harmful insects and other enemies of’agriculture, thus being of -great benefit to our American farming Interests. “These birds are among the most interesting of all wild creatures an deserve protection if only for then aesthetic and ’inspirational value. The bald eagle is our National Emblem. Help save It from extinction. Please do not be a party to the promiscuous killing of eagles, hawks and owls, or to the destruction of their nests or eggs. They are far less Injurious to game and domestic poultry than was formerly supposed. The on this poster are protected In many States. “Give These Birds a Chance.” In another special announcement, the association remarks:—“We condemn bounty laws, hawk-campaigns, or general -hawk-shoots because: I’h they result in indiscriminate killing of all species of hawks and owls without regard Ho merit. Second: The money spent on bounties generally is wasted. Third: The presence ! of hunters in the field outside the regular shooting season leads to indiscriminate killing and tends to make law-enforcement difficult. Fourth: Great numbers of hunters are not qualified to tell one species of hawk or owl from another. Fifth: I’f con-trol-is needed, such work should be conducted by properly qualified authorities and not be left to the Individual gunners." Food and Cover. ■An expert investigation promoted by the U.S.A. Department of Agriculture showed that, next to man, the main enemies of game-birds were lack of cover and shortage of food in winter. For example, about forty flocks o'f Virginia quail, in different localities, were carefully watched. It was seen that birds which had easy access to satisfactory food —not too far away from shelter —were usually able ’to escape from the onsets of birds of prey.’ These vvell-n'ourished quad had the power of flight which took them quickly to safety in cover when a sentry-gave the note of alarm. Other flocks, not so fortunate in supplies of food, had weak members, which were easily killed hy their enemies. Indeed some of these famished birds dropped dead from Lheir roosts duiing cold nights. An Outlaw. (Any Plea in this article for a sane attitude towards predatory birds does not apply to 'that -alien destroyer, known as the [German owl. This pest, stupidly Imported many years ago by the Otago Acclimatisation 'society, is a disturber of Nature’s balance in various parts of New Zealand. Unlike the morepork, which hunts only at night an'd feeds mostly on rodents and big lnseots, the -German owl may sally out during a dull day, and Is Very active before dusk, on the outskirts of bush, just when -the lovable little fantail Is flitting about for Its supper of insects. Just when the dainty flutterer is about to snap up a moth—tho prospective mother of a numerous brood of destructive grubs—it Is seized by the owl and torn to pieces. , 'New Zealanders need to be reminded again very seriously that thousands of their small native birds are being butchered by that ferocious foreign owl. 'Evory possible effort should be. made to exterminate that nuisance, which is steadily spreading. A Noble Family Spirit. In a new book, ‘“Bird City,” E. A. Mcllhenny gives very pleasant pictures of a sanctuary of 35 acres on Avery Island, 'Louisiana. In the nesting season this' refuge has about 100,000 birds, mainly herons, gallinulos, bitterns, rails, teals, _ woodducks and snowy egrets. It is mentioned that the Florida gallinule, which -raises three broods, places the young of tho later broods in the caio of their older brothers and sisters. “It is an amazing sight,” writes Mr Mcllhenny, “to see the two parents with young around (hem in threo stages of development, with both -sets of older young helping to feed and care for the youngest brood.”