POISON FOR SMALL BIRDS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 June 1919, Page 3

POISON FOR SMALL BIRDS

Strychnine- poisoned wheat prepared aa follows, has been found very effective in p.Qinbating tlie small-bird nuisanoe i— > Pat 12lb of wheat in a box kept for

the purpose, measuring about ißinby ~ I?^' Make a wineglassful of strong by stirring three tablespoonfuls - "^oTsugar into that quantity of warm water. Take loz of strychnine, and f.-' put about a fourth of it at a time into g/porpelajn rnqHor (pacing th> mortar first on a sheet of newspaper in case any may be spilled). Powder it up, and go on similarly with the other three-fourths, emptying each fourth as powdered on to another sheet of paper. It will be found easier to do * it this way than to attempt to _^grind the whole ounce at one time. Splash the sjrup in small portions at a- time over tjie wheat, and mi^ up thoroughly witji both hands, staiidingthe ftox all ways to get at the bottom layers, till tjie wheat is all just moist (not %et) and very stioky'' to the touch. /"' Sift some of the powdered strychnine over "the top layer with a spatula or bit of tin, and work with the hands; sift some more, and repeat till all is j n , Thorougly wash the bands and utensils and take every other precaution.- The wheat oan be scattered in the usual way.