NATIVE BIRD LIFE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 874, 21 July 1910, Page 4

NATIVE BIRD LIFE.

HTJIA BECOMING EXTINCT. • The Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. D. Buddo) does'not look hopefully on the future' of the native birds. - He told a Dominion reporter yesterday that his observations have led him to the con-. elusion that the English bird has pressed the New Zealand native bird right-back, with the exception of what are popularly known as .the green-eye and the fantail. Nevertheless, in more remote parts, where no grain or vegetables are being grown, Hit re is still a substantial amount of New Zealand bird lite. ' It was to preserve what yet remained that bird sanctuaries had been established. The stoat and weasel had been most destructive to native birds, with perhaps the exception of the weka, which, was evidently quite able to hold its' own against all comers. In the sanctuaries the native, birds were at least holding their own, but anxiety was felt in respect to the huia, of which only a few had been secured for. the reserves, and which were getting very scarce." Two expeditions which, had been iient up the Wanganui River had failed to bring back a single huia, and a third expedition was being arranged to start up the river in ,the early autumn. It Would' consist of Messrs. Hamilton (of the Dominion Museum), M'Gregor (Wanganui), and Edgar Stead (Christchurch), all of . whom hare- already done good serviced this connection. The huias already sent to the island sanctuaries, were no more than holding their own,, i.et so faany''ihtettstiii{f'traditions cling to the bird, said Mr. Buddo, that he would be very sorry to see.it becoming extinct.