DESTRUCTION OF BIRD LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1929, Page 7

DESTRUCTION OF BIRD LIFE

TRAPPERS’ DEFiNITE IMPEACHMENT. OPOSSUMS- NOT TO BLAME. ixs a result of a fairly general opinion in iciULiii-quarters tiiuli Lne oi.us-su-m Mas io a ,arge extent responsible iur tlie destruction ot native buds, the otago Acclimatisation Society lias latelv oeen at .considerable pa.ns to collect niioruiaiion m respect to the agencies that are accomplished the cli-min-■ution or native onu lile, which has been apparent for seme years past, not su—a-i'ibiiig to tlie view that the opossum was u.e guilty party, the society sought uy means of wi-ue.qjiead circui.it.'on of trappers and landowners io secure the views of those who were more or less continuously in touch with the bush region of the province. hi he i n,low nig copy of the circular letter sent out g.ves some idea of the idea of the purpose of the society’s action : My society is somewhat concerned at the number of letters that have appeared m the newspapers within the last year or so relative to the supposed damage done by opossums in the forests in the way of eating the green shoots oi some of the trees, and thereby decreasing the food of our native birds, vjome or the writers try to make out that this is largely responsible for the diminution of the native birds in our forests. Acclimatisation societies, on the other hand, who have given this matter some consideration are convinced that the chief enemies of the native bird are the stoat, rat, ferret, Avild cat, and other vermin that bestroy bnkls. With a view of getting some evidence on the matter, I should like to know, if when you were trapping opossums this season, were any of the above-named anim.ds or 1 other vermincaptured in your traps, and if so, would you mind telling me how many ox each were caught.. At the same time would you let me know if the native bird life in your locality is increasing or decreasing. Tlie result of the inquiry has been a very definite impeachment directed by trappers and other observers against ferrets, stoats, weasels, rats, wild cats, and such predatory birds as hawks and grey owls 4 , although these last are not charged so unanimously as the bush vermin. The opossum would appear to emerge from the investigation guiltless of the misdoings that have been so generally and frequently attributed to it.

The replies received in answer to ilie circular from men who have been engaged in opossum trapping over a number of years completely exonerate the opossum from any culpability in the matter of the diminution of native birds, although no mention is made of the suggestion that by eating the young, green shoots of trees they deprive the birds of the food upon .which they largely depend. Practically all the trappers and others circularised have entered into a vigorous defence of the opossum, at t,he same time that they lay the blame for the destruction of bird life at the door of weasels, ferrets, stoats, wi ls cats, rats, and hawks and grey owls,

Acclimatisation societies have been ox the opinion that tlie chief enemies of native birds are the vermin and larger birds mentioned above, and the evidence received as a result of the recent cir-eularisation of trappers appears to support that view. Of 74 replies received 55 of the writers stated definitely that they considered that the opossum was not to blame, Fortyseven letters mentioned the stoat as an agent to destruction, 20 referred to the ferret, 18 to the cat, 15 the grey owl, e'glit the rat, and two the hawk. A fact which .consolidates the opinions thus expressed js that ad of tho writers trapped more or less of these animals and birds in localities from which rabbits, their staple food, were almost entirely eliminated. Thirty-eight trappers caught 218 stoats, an average of nearly six per man; seven ethers caught 42 feints, an average of over three per man; 18 trappers caught 34 wild cats, an average of two and aiialf per man; and 18 others caught 58 rats, an average of over three per man, These-figures, it should he remembered) cover a period of only one month, since the opossum season this year lasted only that length of time. Perhaps l lm best way to indicate.the opinions of the men who are in a position to wathe what is happening in the bush would co to give extracts of some of the letters received by the secretary of tlie Otago Acclimatisation Society in answer to Ids circular.

The majority of the letters were received from trappers in the Catling district, where almost everybody absolved the opossum. at the expense of the stoat, the ferret, the weasel, the rat, and the wild cat. It is significant that some of the writers declare that native bird life in on the increase, while others state that they have noticed a marked decrease. One man says: : “It is six years since any trapping was done in my hush, hut as for as I can see no harm has come to the native birds. . . The fantad, the tomtit, and the bellhird have increased considerably within the last few years.” , . . From Owaka comes comes the following damag'ng accusation ;—.“'While foilwing a 'track through the bush I came 1 upon a burrow, in which were fully a dozen dead p ; goons, taken there hv a stoat or a weasel.” From Glenomaru another man writes: “T caught more ferrets than anything, hut T do not think they do as much damage as stoats. The

bird life here is on the decrease.” Another man concludes liis letter as follows: —“Do all you can to destroy stoats, weasels, rats, cats, and ferrets, but cion't worry about the opossum, it harms neither birds nor bush.” A laliaivopa resident says: “The stoat, rat, ferret, and wild cat are responsible. • • • With the exception of

native pigeons, ktka and native robins, bnvis are plentnul.” A Houipapa winter says: ‘ oaw a stoat uime from a ..ole in a tree with a young bird in its mouth,” and from Katanui conies the statement tnat “Dims are getting more numerous because vermin are becoming scarcer.” A Tarara trapper says tnat “there is no cause lor suspecting tne opossum. Lm opening them up alter Killing 1 have never come across snell leathers, or Uesh of any kind, 'though tiie' opossum is decreasing in these parts there is no sign oi the diminution of bird life being arrested.” Many other letters are. written in the same strain, the writers in many

.eases having observed the destructive habits of the stoat, ferret, and weasel in particular. Every letter contains particulars of more or less liCavy annual hauls or these animals in the trasp.

Southland correspondents are equally unanimous in their defence of the opossum. A Wynclham land owner states: “The opossum does not in any way interfere with bird life in this locality.” Front Fortrose : “It is the stoat, the ferret, the rat, and wild cat.” From Wyndham: “I have always lived close to the bush and cannot see how the opossum can be responsible. ... A writer from Majara, Southland, says: ‘ xhe damage if any, done by opossums, is negligible,” A Pukerau farmer writes: “The weasel is responsible. . . there are no rabbits here now for them to live on,”

From Te A nan a station holder writes: “The stoat is tho real menace. Opossums by accounting for so many of them help to prolong bird life.” And similar sentiments were expressed by Hawea Flat correspondent. .

From Milton, Chi tram Taieri Mouth

„aieri Beach, Clinton, Warena, Waiwera, Greenfield, BaLlutha, Clydevale, Tapanui, Waihola, and Leith Valley letters were also received, the writers dividing responsibility almost equally between the stoat, the ferret, the weasel, and the rat. The grey owl, the hawk, and the wild cat are accused in lesser degree.

Tlie large budget of correspondence would appear to prove that the policy of setting a thief to catch a thief is one that can be expected to have results more far-reaching than at first considered. Ferrets stoats and weasels were looked as effective checks upon the robber rabbits, which once infested the country, but now that their numbers are growing yearly fewer, the hunters seemingly have turned their attentions to native birds. The thief having disposed of the thief now preys upon respectable citizenry. Such at all events appears to be the view of those who should know.