NOT FOR LITTLE BARRIER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 13

NOT FOR LITTLE BARRIER

IMPORTED NIGHTINGALES BIRD-PROTECTION PROTEST Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The intention mentioned in a recent cable to introduce nightingales to New Zealand and place them on Little Bar- , rier Island provoked a protest from the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, which pointed out that these birds are insectivorous, and migratory—two habits extremely difficult to satisfy in captivity. The society is of the opinion that the venture would probably end in the deaths of some individuals of the charming species of songbirds now becoming increasingly scarce. Further it is possible that these birds would introduce diseases injurious to other birds. Incidentall it suggested that the importation of the Indian minah was responsible for the spread of a tick disease fatal to a cousin, the huia. •. The Internal Affairs Department states that instructions have already been issued to prevent nightingales landing without authority. Further it is against the policy of the Government to allow imported birds to be placed on sanctuaries such as Little Barrier, which have been specially set apart for the preservation of indigenous birds and even if it should be decided to allow nightingales to be introduced to the Dominion, such peri mission would be subject to their not being liberated on Little Barrier or any other island sanctuary.