BIRD WELFARE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 6

BIRD WELFARE

AUGUST AS SPECIAL MONTH LINK WITH ARBOR DAY August is “ bird month ” —a month during which New Zealanders are asked to take a keener interest in all the beautiful, interesting and valuable birds of their own country. Initiated by the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, 44 bird month ” is a movement which has been taken up with enthusiasm and the observance is becoming more and more popular every year. Forest preservation is intimately associated with the welfare of native birds, and the many areas of native forest which have been set aside as sanctuaries have played an important part in providing homes and feeding grounds for them. Outside the forest areas there are many very lovely species of native birds which will make their homes in town gardens. To attract these interesting visitors it is necessary to plant trees and shrubs which provide suitable food, and in this direction the promoters of bird month have cooperated with the observance of Arbor Day, which falls to-morrow. The value of birds to the preservation of the New Zealand forest is in proportion closely related to the value of the forest to our farm lands. Acclimatisation societies all over the world are insistent that forest preservation is necessary to the welfare of all countries. For these important reasons the observance of bird month is a praiseworthy custom which all New Zealanders should study and perpetuate.