STARLINGS

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 299, 27 April 1894, Page 2

STARLINGS

TO THK EDITOR OF THK STAR Sir, — Would you be good enough to t^ive space in your paper to a few lines upon the subject of the above interesting birds. From instructions given by this Acclimatisation Society, I wrote to the Hon. Secretary (Mr D. Russell) of the Otago Acclimatisation Society for information upon the subject of introducing these valuable birds into our district. The following is bis reply ; — " Dnnediu, 21st April, 1894. H. L. Sherwill, Esq., Feilding. Dear Sir. — Yours of the 17th instant to hand. All starlings wanted by us are supplied by ' Mr C, Bills, of Dunedin, at the rate of ■ one pound (ill) per dozen. I showed him your order, aud he says ho will deliver iv Wellington one hundred birds for £1 10s, or fifty for £4. The Union Company take them free, but Bills pays whoever has charge of them on the boat to look after them. Bills keeps them for a week before shipping in the cage they travel in, and you can almost depend on them reachiug you quite safe. Tho last lot sent to the North Island, over a hundred, were liberated without the loss of a single bird. If you can afford it, would advise your Secretary to get oue hundred, as nothing has given acclimatisation societies more pleasure than tho introduction of starlings. Should you order, you will require to have someone to take them from the steamer at Wellington. The birds will probably be ready for sending in about a fortnight from receipt of order. — Yours Faithfully, D. Russkll, Hon. Secretary." As our Society cannot afford to spend so large a sum as mentioned in Mr Russell's letter, and, as the farming community must know how invaluable to them the introduction of these birds will be, I have opened ajsub cription list at my office in Feilding, towards defraying expenses, and shall be glad to receive any sums that those interested may choose to forward. I may add that 1 am sure the farmers in this district will be interested and pleased to hear that my present committee are anxious to introduce into this locality several species of the insect-feeding birds which would be most valuable, and that negotiations have been opened for obtaining the lapwing, which may be correctly described as the farmers' friend. I am, etc., Hugh L. Sherwill, Hon. Secretary Feilding Branch Wellington Acclimatisation Society.