WAR ON PUKEKO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1941, Page 6

WAR ON PUKEKO

’ A THOUGHTLESS PERSECUTION. Members of the Forest and Bird Proi teclion Society are asking i’or a stop- ■ page of the persecution of the pukeko,. the beautiful bird which is also known as the swamp-hen. It is claimed, with good reason, that the pukeko has the right io live in its native country. In 1928-29, at the request of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, the | Department of Internal Affairs conducted a stomach survey of the pukeko in localities of the Manawatu, North Canterbury. Otago, and Southland districts. Altogether. G. 3 birds were examined, and the results shoxVod that their diet was not one to cause worry Io farmers or sportsmen. The contents of the stomachs were usually macerated vegetation and seeds of grass and weeds. In Cheviot, North Canterbury, where pukeko were alleged to be causing damage Io stacks, four were killed, but no grain was found inside them. Similarly, ten birds taken in tile vicinity of cropping areas in Otago had no grain in their stomachs. Two, shot in an oat-field of Southland, had stalks and heads of weeds and otb.er vegetation in their stomachs, but noil oats were seen. J