SWANS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1885, 11 May 1878, Page 2

SWANS.

Carrninn ji\m morions can it excquiali* cygnui. Ovid. (To the Editor of the NORTH Otaoo Tiuib.) Sir, — Every reader of your paper will be astonished and grieved to know that the annual slaughter of tame swans frequenting the Kakanui River has commenced. Two swans were shot in the yoar 1870. A fine old male swan, riddled with shot, waa found last season by the undersigned ; and a few days ago a young swan (cygnet) was seen floating dead in that river, near Windermero, tho riotim, alas ! of some heartleu gunnor. In the whole catalogue of imported birds there is not one to be found more innocont, graceful, and majestic than the common swan. • Thoso birds are as deserving of protection as were tho sacrod geese that saved tho Roman Capitol. And their dettruotion is the result of allowing lad and larrikin to prowl about the country shooting down each and every bird that comet across their path without let or hindrance. We must have a tax on guns. Without this it is almost hopeless to protect our imported game and water birds. Tis well poor Wheatley is dead, or this barbarous murder of his swan would have broken tho old man's heart. According to Ovid dying swana ohanted their own complaint ; but as their descondants in Now Zealand seem to have lost this singular faculty, I leg leave, Sir, through your columns to make known to the world their woos and sorrows. Yours, <&c, CifAfl. Ed. Smith. Otopopo, May 10, 1878.