THE SMALL BIRD NUISANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9643, 8 November 1909, Page 4

THE SMALL BIRD NUISANCE.

The Grey town Fruitgrowers'' Association is making a commendable attempt to cope with the small bird nuisance, and their efforts during the past year were highly successful. The sum of £27 16s 7d was paid for the following eggs and birds' eggs: —Thrushes, 17,058; blackbirds, 5,766; white eyes, 151; minahs, 20; total, 22,995. Birds: Grown birds, 1,178; nestlings, 953; total, -2,131. Grand total, 25,126. The number of eggs and birds received since the Association was formed is as follows: —1906-07, 14,626, at a cost of £ls 13s 7d; 190708, 22,956, at a cost of £24 16s; 1908-09, 25,126, at a cost of £27 16s 7d. The number of birds and eggs paid for has increased each and this can ba accounted for by the fact that the Association's operations are being extended, and eggs and birds are now being brought in from greater distances. The Association's operations have been of the utmost benefit to fruitgrowers in the Grey town district, but such a great number of the pasts still remain that the Association cannot afford to contemplate for one moment any cessation of the good work it is doing. A similar Association has been formed at Carterton, and is doing excellent work, but Masterton evidently lacks enterprise in this direction,'for it does not possess such an institution. Small birds "thriva and grow fait" in the Masterton district, and the orchardist consequently suffers. The value of the fruit destroyed in this district by these pests must amount to a considerable sum every year. Fruitgrowers bear their loss perhaps with a little grumbling, yet take no step 3 to combat the nuisance. If smaller towns like Greytown and Carterton ten successfully conduct Associations to deal with the destructive small bird there is no reason whatever why Masterton should not be able to do likewise.