SMALL BIRD NUISANCE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1090, 24 September 1883, Page 2

SMALL BIRD NUISANCE.

Good News for Farmers, During the past few seasons, the small birds have made themselves conspicuous by the damage inflicted by them on the farmers’ crops. An account of the experiences of Mr Breirierj of Whakamara, may prove useful to our agricultural friends. Sonfe weeks ago, Mr Bremer sowed a field with i ape seed. The ground was afterwards well harrowed to cover up the seed and thus protect the grain from the birds. The grain was safe till it sprouted, but no sooner had it done so, than the birds at once pulled up and ate every seed in the paddock. At this juncture a Rangitikei friend came along, and after hearing the disconsolate farmer’s tale, advised him to sow his field again, and, just before the time that the grain would sprout, to sprinkle some poisoned wheat over the field. Accordingly the field was re-sown with rape, and at the proper time, the poisoned repast was spread. Result-next morning 127 dead birds were picked up on the field," and in an adjoining paddock, 8 more, making a total of 135. The birds killed were larks, linnets, and sparrows, the numbers of each being, larks, 71 ; linnets, 56 ; and sparrows, 8. This was the result of the use of one bottle of “ Dissolved Bird Poison.” Wei congratulate Mr Bremer on his success, and earnestly recommend all those who are troubled by small birds to follow his example. For the benefit of those who suffer from the ravages of these imported, pests, we may mention that the Dissolved Bird, Poison is sold by Mr Wilton, Chemist, Marton, at the rate of 4s 6d per bottle. The contents of one bottle should be mixed with sufficient hot water to steep 71bs of grain, which should bo whole and not crushed. While the poisoned water is hot, mix in the grain, cover up, and let it soak for 24 jiours, stirring occasional]}'-. It is then ready for use. and should bo sown thinly in the evening, just before dusk. After breakfast next morning the fanner may go out and count the dead. Sometimes as many as 200 birds are killed by the use of the above mentioned quantity of poisoned grain. The action of the poison is rapid. Birds may bo seen flying from the field and falling dead in their flight. Some manage to fly to hedges and trees, but soon fall, and most of the birds die on the

field. Caic must be taken that the vessel in which Iho poison is mixed is not afterwards used for domestic purposes. We arc quite confident that if all the farmers in the district would sow poisoned wheat when needed, small-birds would soon be nearly exterminated, and the damage to crops reduced to a minimum. One curious circumstance is that cats and hawks cat the dead birds without suffering any ill effects. Occasionally wild ducks are found dead on the field, but we do not recommend them to bo served up at table.