SHAGS AND GERMAN OWLS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 4

SHAGS AND GERMAN OWLS

MENACE OR BENEFIT? NEED FOR INFORMATION EMPHASISED *. •Whether there were sufficient grounds for the assumption that shags and German owls were destructive- to other birds and to trout respectively was discussed at a meetings of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society last evening, when the justification for encouraging the wholesale shooting of these birds came into question. The need fpr further research and information on the question was emphasised, particularly by Professor E. Percival. Discussing the alleged ravages of German owls. Professor Percival said that owls had been formerly shot on a large scale in England on the assumption that they fed on other birds, but after a long and careful survey had been made it was discovered that they were largely insectivorous, and that their other main prey was mice and voles. He considered that a great deal more research was required oh the feeding habits of the German owls in New Zealand. He urged members to assist the investigation that wasbeing made by Professor B. J. Marples, of the University of Otago, by sending specimens for analysis, of the stomach contents. . “We have condemned birds to ruthless slaughter on very slender evidence,” said the chairman CDr. D. McK. Dickson). It was decided to leave it to the game committee to obtain all the information possible on the feeding habits of owls. The diet of shags was also discussed at some length. Professor Percival said that it was claimed that the shag ate fish, as it probably did. But it had to be admitted that shags ate a great many eels and the question was whether it did more harm than go~d. Hawks were considered the arch-enemy of ducklings, but hawks were the omy enemy of the water-rat, which was the greatest enemy of the , duckling. A request from the Waimate Acclimatisation Society asking for a concerted drive on shags was later considered. Professor Percival. mentioned the investigation into the diet of shags that was being carried out by Mr R. A. Falla, curator of the Canterbury Museum, stating that he himself had seen the contents of a great many of the birds examined, but no trout had been found. Th wholesale slaughter of shags and. the disturbance of the balance of Nature might present a serious risk. Members approved a proposal that instead of paying a royalty on . shags’ heads the society should, if it so desired, pay the royalty on the receipt of a certificate from Mr Falla that he had received a bird, as it was desirable that he should have complete specimens. Mr C. H. Stonyer remarked that seasonal diet habits might vary and the investigation should be carried out throughout the year .