DOOM OF GREY DUCK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1939, Page 11

DOOM OF GREY DUCK

EVIDENCE OF DECREASING NUMBERS. TOTAL PROTECTION MAY BE NECESSARY. Mr W. H. Field, who is one of the most ardent protectors of native birds and forests, has 700 acres of native bush at Waikanae, where the birds have peaceful sanctuary. He also has' a little lake where waterfowl such as native grey ducks and pukeko have happy sanctuary. However, he noticed, wiLh the exception of the pukeko, that the native waterfowl did not seem to be increasing. He happened to see ducks and their broods at the lower end of a stream below his sanctuary, and felt that he would like to include that piece of water in his sanctuary. He got into communication with an officer of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, and made that suggestion. He was told that there was no need for such action as the grey ducks were holding their own and were not in danger of extermination. Captain Yerex (Inspector under the Animals' Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, and director of the Government's war on deer) said that his duties took him into many districts of the North and South Islands. He was fully convinced that the numbers of the grey ducks were decreasing rapidly. This was partly due to the draining of many large swamps which had served as the breeding and feeding grounds of the birds in the past. Consequently they were compelled to concentrate on small areas where they were easy targets for sportsmen. Once hc> saw a party of shooters sitting beside one pool. They had shot about 165 ducks and were still shooting.