LITTLE OWLS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9134, 1 May 1908, Page 7

LITTLE OWLS.

AND THE BIRD NUISANCE,

A gratifying account of the clearance which the little owls, some time ago imported by the Otago Acclimatisation Society, have effected of the small birds iu the fruitgrowing districts of Central Otago, particularly in the Earnslough Flat, is given by Mr G M. Marshall, who has just returned from a visit to the district (says the Otago Daily Times). For fifteen years past it was absolutely impossible to grow large crops owing to the depredations of the green linnets and goldfinches, which simply flocked down on the fruit gardens and almost cleaned them of the blossom buds. The introduction of owls to the district has proved the salvation of the fruitgrower, for iu places where previously the bird pestlwas overwelmiug there is now not'a small bird to be seen. The result of this is that the trees are iu splendid condition, ami promise exceedingly well for next year. Not only have the birds named disappeared entirely from the fruit gardens, but sparrows and even starlings are now practically an unknown quantity. Nature has evidently told them that the little owl is a dangerous enemy and they have either taken to the rocks or disappeared altogether. Mr Iverson, whose experience the above has been, has not bad occasion to fire a shot to frighten away birds for two years, and it is ■simply due to the presence of the owls. The almost complete clearance of the small birds is instanced in the fact that this year the Yincent County Council paid £l5O less for birds’ heads and eggs than in the .previous year. It would be very much better, said Mr Marshall, if the County Councils were to join forces with the Acclimatisation ■Society and devote money to the importing of owls that is now used to poison the small birds. The consignments that have been placed iu the district have been known to breed, some have been seen with as ■many as four young owls.