POISONING SMALL BIRDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1753, 21 June 1888, Page 3

POISONING SMALL BIRDS.

' Mr, David Evans, of Otauteu, writes as follows to, the Western Star ■ Notwithstanding that thousands of pounds have been spent in the various methods of poisoning as a remedy for the small birds nuisance, the system is,; now being abandoned, and to encourage the boys and girls to rob thb nests and capture the old ones, many of the local bodies hay<T decided to increase the subsidy from 2s 3d to 3s per 100 for eggs and heads. Personally I have no faith in the present system of poisoning. After trying it for years I never came across more than half-a-dozen poisoned birds. Last week I procured a small quantity of the poisoned groats we read about, which was carefully distributed, with the extraordinary result that I picked up one dead mouse; but in the absence of a post viortem there is no evidence to show whether the tiny creature came to his death by an, overdose of poison or otherwise. I have made enquiries among the farmers in several parts of the county, and found all, with the exception of one in the vicinity of Gammie’s Bush, agreed with me that the poisoning system as hitherto carried on has not been successful in abating the nuisance. I would' suggest that each councillor procure a small quantity of the various preparations now in use, and give them a fair trial. lam sure that no rightthinking man would, for a moment begrudge the same being paid out of county funds. The evil should be regarded ai a national one, which demands treatment on broad and liberal lines.