VANISHING NATIVE BIRDS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2613, 31 July 1923, Page 1

VANISHING NATIVE BIRDS

SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION. EXTINCTION DRAWING NEAR. An authority on native birds has directed attention to certain matters in connection with our fauna and flora as well as our fisheries. “The- very peple,” lie said, “who should be devoting their energies to the preservation of the native fauna of New Zealand seem to view with apathy the neglect to ensure the continuance of bird life in New Zealand and to regard the destruction of so many beautiful denizens of this country with little alarm. And yet there is every reason that energetic steps should be taken to remedy the errors of the past, and rectify matters in the future.

“The spirit of destruction,” he proceeded, “is abroad and the feathered beauties of New Zealand seem to have few friends to voice a protest to combat it. It is wellknown that many varieties of birds which were plentiful only a few years ago are now extinct. Take the case of the paradise ducks, with their glorious plumage and handsome appearance. They were in the protected list, and in some places consequently showed signs of an increase in numbers but the blood-lust of some so-called sportsmen was aroused and all sorts ot llimsv reasons were advanced with success to justify the authorities in compliance with the demand tor the removal of the restriction imposed by law and the extinction of this beautiful bird is being brought considerable nearer.

“In one respect there is urgent necessity for the authorities to take action, and that is the use of what tin l Americans call ‘pump guns, from which a stream of projectiles limited only by the capacity of the magazine is discharged at tlie birds when either massed together on the water or living in closely-packed Hocks. With the extended use of this unsportsmanlike engine of destruction the rapid extermination of the few remaining game birds will speedily be brought about. "In the United States,” he proceeded, “it has been found access-, ary to exempt various animals and birds from utter destruction by pothunters and collectors to whom the rareness of a bird or animal furnishes a sufficient reason for killing it, as its skin or feathers becomes more valuable as its extinction draws nearer. Legislation having this object in view is in force in most of the States, although 100 late to prevent the extinction of a verv large proportion of the native fauna. “Tu New Zealand, unfortunately, the laws passed with the object of protecting both ’native and imported birds and animals are not strictly observed and even when offend - ers are caught, the penalties imposed for breaches are not in any way sufficiently heavy to prevent a recurrence of the offence. “The numerous acclimatisation societies are to a large extent more intent on providing a good head of game to be shot on payment of a license fee than in protecting those types verging on extinction, more particularly those which do not come under the head of game.”