NO NATIVE BIRDS MEANS NO NATIVE FORESTS

Forest and Bird, Issue 8, 1 March 1925, Page 7

NO NATIVE BIRDS MEANS NO NATIVE FORESTS

Birds have many functions. Some, mostly imported, are essential tq the open country, but our native forest bird inhabitants are equally essential in maintaining the health and prosperity of our forests, while the water fowl, swamp birds and sea birds are likewise necessary to the maintaining of an equable balance of nature in their various environments. In our forests the nectar-eaters, such as the tui and makornako or bell bird, fertilise the forest flowers, and are just as necessary to many of these flowers as the honey-bee is to the clover. The relation of one forest tree to the welfare of others has not yet been scientifically worked out in New Zealand, but in certain foreign forests where the relationship is better undersotod, if is the practice to plant certain useless trees with those valuable trees which it is desired to establish; otherwise the desirable timber trees will not flourish. Here, in New Zealand, this matter is attended to by such birds as the pigeon, which, owing to its habit of making short and longer migrations, ensures a sufficiency of forest seeds being distributed where they are necessary. Then, again, we have the various insectivorous and grubeating birds—some working on the ground (wekas, crows, etc.), others in the bark and crannies and cracks (rifleman, tomtits,

etc.), others amidst the leaves (whiteheads, silver eyes, etc.}, and yet again others destroying the various moths and beetles in the air (fantails, warblers, etc.) Insect life unchecked increases with stupendous rapidity, and forests have in other lands been totally destroyed by insect plagues.) and in this country the inroads of insects and disease are apparent in many places, while nurserymen report increasing non-fertility in many forest, tree seeds. The native birds are thus required as effectual guardians of our forests. ' - Then for the sake of these forests, let alone because they are unique and wonderful, our birds are looked upon by many with at least great regard; and it behoves every New Zealander who has any respect for his country and its beauties to assist in protecting this heritage of ours from vandals, collectors and imported enemies. The deforestation of the land, imported bird diseases, against which our birds are non-immune, have taken a heavy toll in the past, but now with awakening public interest and the establishment of greater immunity from disease, somespecies have increased quite wonderfully, to wit, the makomako, or bellbird, popokotea or white-headed canary, tui and pigeon, grey warbler, and several other species. Therefore the outlook is' at least hopeful. All that is required is such skill in conservation as is exercised in some other countries with marked success. But good conservation cannot be attained without public backing and sympathy. The New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society appeals to New Zealanders to fully interest themselves in their great heritage, their birds and forests, and think what New Zealand would be without them.