WAR UPON EGGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 6

WAR UPON EGGS

COUNTY PURCHASES

INCLUDING NATIVE SPECIES

The co-operation of acclimatisation societies with the Now Zealand Native Bird Protection Society is always to bo welcomed —especially in view of the co-operation of these and olher wild life bodies on tho recently-formed Wild Lifo Council —and it was therefore; easy to see that tho secretary of tho Waitaki Acclimatisation Society had struck a sympathetic chord when he wrote as follows to tho last meeting of the Native Bird , Protection Society's executive: — "As you are aware, some County Councils throughout-the Dominion purchase eggs of small birds. Tho ..bigger majority of the officials . purchasing such eggs would not know tho egg of a tui from that of a hedge-sparrow," and wo have reason to believe that for numbers of years past the eggs of many of our native birds have been paid for by such bodies, and think that it would be a good idea if your society wore to prepare and issue to all County Councils and bodies purchasing small birds' oggs, a coloured chart showing all the eggs of the native birds, the reproductions being natural size. "If you have any of your pamphlets with regard "to the protection of native birds printed on calico ,1 would be greatly obliged if you could forward me five copies in order that I may give one each to Dr. Douglas, Messrs. IS. K. Ireland, A. J. Grave, Adam M'Kay, and Eoderick Finch. These gentlemen have purchased considerable holdings of uativo bush at Wainakarua, and have; planted them extensively with native trees and shrubs, and are doing everything they can to protect the forests and also the native birds. They wish to' put up the notices on their properties. If you could supply two for each it would be bettc'r still." As soon as the letter was received, the secretary of the Now Zealand Native Bird1 Protection: Society sent- oil the required posters, and ho referred the other part of the letter to the next meeting of the society's executive, at which members agreed that tho eggpurchasing local bodies oxercised no reliable check, and, might be (probably were) accessory to the illegal destruction of protected native species .whose services to farmer and forester are definitely beneficial. Members also agreed that an egg chart ought to be prepared, but woro' faced with the question of cost. The handsome bird charts, now,being prepared at tho society's expense (with subsidy by the Board of Education) leave "the socioty, with very little financial margin. But as the egg chart could probably be produced, it was thought, at a cost»not exceeding £75 (perhaps less), 'the opinion was expressed that such a chart might conio within the compass of the society's' funds if the Department and the acclimatisation societies would contribute on a shares basis. v "I£ our society contributed something loss than half, and if tho Department of Internal Affairs found something/ said one ' member, "it would not require many acclimatisation societies, at £5 or £10 each, to make up the balance." As indicating tho enormous toll of bird life (including beneficial bird life) another member said that the biggest egg collector in one county competition brought in 10,000 eggs! As the result of the above discussion, the seerojt.iry of the New Zealand Native Bird 'Protection Society' has written to tho Minister of Internal Affairs:— "Our executive have instructed tne to write suggesting the advisability of County Councils being notified of their illegal and uneconomical action in paying for the promiscuous destruction of birds' eggs» Might it be suggested that the Department could render good service, ,by circularising County Councils with reference to this matter. So far as tho issuing of' a coloured chart of the eggs of birds is concerned, my executive are prepared to undertake tne preparation of this, but would submit that your Department and acclimatisation societies might contribute at least the greater part of tho cost. We are at present committed to heavy expenditure in producing bird pictures, which it is regretted limits our scope in furnishing further funds. The cost would probably be well within £75."