GERMAN OWLS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1435, 9 May 1912, Page 8

GERMAN OWLS.

AV.K THJT A FAILURE

-As each fiicceodinj: shipment, of fiermnn owls has heen imported for (lie. destruction of the small l,i r( | s which jilay havoc with tho orchard and yrain crops, the viitues of Ihe little owl hava been r.nclaimed broadest. Pcriodically f r m » mention has hern marloof Iho work the mils are deing, and now i-erjoiis complaint has been math- against them. Xow, however. Jlr. A. ,f. Keith, of Ashburton, whose property adjoins that in which semo or the birds were liberated, has informed! a local reporter that he has been closely Matching tho habits of the owls, and ho has come In Die conclusion thai they are utterly useless as exterminator; of niiall birds. According to Mr. lCoith, several of the owl? hnd lcnminerl in tho trws nronnd his residence. >ince they were liberated, .'•lid nllhmißh he made cIW and continiious inspections he had never seen mv feathers under tho trees, which would indicate that small liirils luid broil lulled by their alleged n.idiral enemies. / j

It would lie interesting lo hear what orchanlisls and farmer.-- about. Hastings have, lo say regarding the usefulness or otherwise of the owls liberated in their dKlrict.