VANISHING NATIVE BIRDS.

Shannon News, 7 August 1923, Page 3

VANISHING NATIVE BIRDS.

SPIRIT OF DESTRUCTION. EXTINCTION DRAWING NEARER. 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 people,” he 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 against the absence of wise methods to combat it. It is well known 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 waa aroused, and all sorts of flimsy reasons were advanced with success to justify the authorities in compliance with the demand for-the removal of the restriction imposed by law, and the extinction of this beautiful bird is being brought considerably nearer. “In one respect there is urgent necessity for the authorities to take action, and that is the use of what the Americans call ‘pump guns,’ from which a stream of projectiles limited only by the capacity of the magazine is discharged at the birds when either massed together on the water or flying in closely-packed flocks. With the extended use of this unsportsman.ike 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 necessary to exempt'various animals and birds from utter destruction by pot-hunters and collectors to whom the rareness of a bird or animal furnishes a sufficient reason for killing it, as its skin or fea.tliers becomes more valuable as its extinction draws nearer. Legislation having this object in view is in force m most of the States, although too late to prevent the extinction of a very large proportion of the native fauna.

“In 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 offenders are caught, the penalties imposed - for breaches a.e not in any way suffleimtly heavy to prevent- a recurrence >f the offence. “The numerous acclimatisation societies are to a large extent more Jnent on providing a good head of game to be shot on payment of a icense fc- than in protecting those hypes verging on extinction, more particular.y those which do not come under the head of game.”