THE NEED FOR STOCKTAKING OF OUR BIRDS.

Forest and Bird, Issue 16, 1 November 1928, Page 2

THE NEED FOR STOCKTAKING OF OUR BIRDS.

By J. G. Myers, Sc.D., F.E.S.

A farmer who set aside a tract of land with a certain number of sheep, forbidding people to kill them, but taking no steps whatever for twenty or thirty years to assure himself of their welfare or even of their continued existence, would be considered a fool. Yet that is precisely what New Zealand has done and is still doing with regard to treasures of international scientific value, of which she is the guardian on behalf of the world. Some of the most interesting and peculiar of the native birds have not been recorded authentically for periods varying up to thirty years or even longer. We do not even know whether certain species still exist. There is some excuse for this ignorance when it concerns the birds of the Auckland Islands and other outlying stations, where at least, as far as we know, the birds which remain are not being directly molested. But with regard to several highly important mainland species, enumerated below, there is imperative need for authoritative information on their existence and welfare. Such information could be efficiently and promptly gathered, at infinitesimal expense, by well-qualified officers already in the Government service. And we would suggest, with all respect, that it is essentially a matter for Government action. These birds are the wards of Government. It is important, if they still exist, that their present haunts be declared sanctuaries and that every effort be made to increase the breeding-stock, with a view to re-colonising areas from which they have disappeared. It might be by no means advisable to publish the exact localities where the rarer species survive; but such information ought decidedly to be in the hands of the Government and those concerned in the enforcement of the bird protection laws.

The first of these birds is the huia, —one of the most interesting species in the world. The last authentic living specimen was seen by Mr. W. W. Smith in 1907. Since then there has been a number of reports from various localities, but the best have just missed satisfying all the demands of an authentic record. The writer himself, in spite of several unsuccessful hunts, believes that the huia still survives, probably in extremely limited numbers. It is surely well worth while to assure ourselves finally on this point.

Other species are the North Island Thrush, apparently last seen alive in 1902; the tekahe (Notornis) , of which one specimen was seen in 1914; the orange-fronted parrakeet; the laughing-owl; the sand-plover, and the black stilt. The Stephen Island Wren may still survive in Cook Strait, or other islets which cats and rats have not yet reached. All these represent some of the very elite of New Zealand birds, and the apathy which can stay content with the bare mention of their names in the protected list, and no further enquiry into their very existence, let alone their welfare, is nothing short of scandalous.

There are many problems concerning the present distribution, numbers, and well-being of many other species which, while by no means so rare as the above, are still far less abundant than they might be, and for which the margin of safety is small. To this category belong the kakapo, the kaka, the kiwis, the parrakeets, the crows, the saddleback, the stitchbird, the robins, the yellowhead, the wrens, some of the ducks and others which will occur to every bird-lover. Research is urgently needed into their special habits and particular enemies; into the reasons why they occur in some districts and not in others; into the possible means we may take to ensure them active, practical protection. This at least is certain —that no species is standing still or will stand still. All are either increasing or decreasing; all are affected directly or indirectly by the progress of settlement. Shall we stand aside and let the process take its course as it has done in the past, or shall we now take careful stock of our avian heritage, and do all that is humanly possible to hand it on intact or even improved?