Magpies Harry Pipits

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 4

Magpies Harry Pipits

Another crime is charged against the Australian shrike, commonly known as a magpie. It has been found guilty of killing pipits, popularly known as •‘native larks.’’ Many New Zealanders know this friendly bird, which is as amiable as the fautail. The pipit seems to Mike the company of mankind. A walker on a quiet country road or by the sea shore will sec a pipit fluttering ahead. It pauses for a moment or two, gives a few jerky uplifts of its tail, and flits on again, just in front of the pedestrian. The bird has this habit at any time of the year; its action is not a ruso to lure a person away from a nest or from fledgolings. Captain Sanderson, president of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, says that the pipit is decreasing in numbers in the Wellington district, allegedly owing to the depredations of hedgehogs but that he has seen magpies attacking pipits on a number of occasions along tho coast between Wellington and Paekakariki. Frequently the murderous assailants have made their onsets in couples to check the agile dodging of the native birds. Tho pipit (pihoihoi in Maori) is probably the most valuable native bird economically so far as the open country is concerned as it is a wholly insect eating bird.

3.15 p.m. First prize, value or trophy, second, value or trophy. Entry 1/-. 31 — Car Event —Potato Race. First prize 10/-, second 5/-. Entry 1/-. 32 — Sheep Weight Judging. First prize £l. Entry 1/-. 33 Chain or Distance Stepping. First prize £l. Entry 1/-. 34 Ham Finding. First prize the ham. Entry 6d. Commencing 11.30 a.m. - 35 Sheaf Tossing. First prize £l/1/-, donated by Mr. Boswell, second 10/6 donated by Mr. P. Rasmussen. ! Entry 1/-. Commencing at 2 p.m. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. All Athletic Events run under the Rules of the N.Z. Amateur Athletic Association. 2. All Cycling Events run under the Rules of the N.Z. Amateur Cycling ■ Association. 3. All prizes for Athletic and Cycling Events are Trophies or Order. 4. In all Horse Events, tho Commit tee to decide the course; two baulks to disqualify. 5. All entries must be submitted to tho Secretary half an hour before each event. 6. The decision of the Judges will be final in all cases. 7. All protests to be in tho hands of the Secretary not later than one hour after the event in dispute. 8. Handicaps for Events 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 28 will bo declared on the grounds, and competitors when nominating for theso events, must send in to the Secretary results of last two performances. 9. All disputes to be settled by the General Committee and its decision to be Absolutely Final. 10. In all events, three competitors oi no competition; five or no second prize. 11. The Committee reserves the right to delete or make alterations on the Programme, or altering the time of starting, or refusing any entry, or abandoning the Sports if necessary, by weather or by other circumstances of which it shall bo the sole judge. 12. All prizes to bo claimed immediately after Sports; otherwise they will not be recognised. 13. Competitors must be in readiness when called, as the events must come off in the order stated; any competitor misconducting or misbehaving will bo excluded from tho competition, and if he oi she should have successfully competed, the prize shall bo forfeited. All competitors must leave tho ring after each event. 14. All competitors must wear their registered numbers. 15. All events Post Entry. Improved Grounds and Tracks for all Events. Native Bush. A real Picnic Place. Refreshments on the Ground. Hot Water Provided Free. ADMISSION: Adults, J/-; Children over 8 years, 6d; under 8 years, free; Motor-cars, 1/-; Members and Members’ Motor-cars, free. R. C. HAMILTON, Hon. Secretary, 'Phone No. 43J, Feilding (Stanwav, Halcoftibe); A. HUTTON, Assistant Secretary.