BIRD-ENEMIES.

Forest and Bird, Issue 22, 1 October 1930, Page 14

BIRD-ENEMIES.

—Bird Lore.

Bird-enemies are legion—bird-enemies are everywhere. One wonders how the little birds can have the grit to throw back their heads and sing when death continuously hovers over them. Birds respond more quickly to protection from enemies than to any other factor. Where enemies are few, birds abound. The converse of this is true also, however; where birds abound, enemies will assemble. A Bird Sanctuary that does nothing towards lessening bird-enemies cannot expect to have very many more birds than the surrounding country because, as soon as the bird-life increases, a “feeding station” for cats, rats, weasels, etc., has been automatically set up and they are just as sure to move in as were the birds when their food was increased. Especially is this true of stray cats which will come from miles, around in the hope of catching some of the birds. It is very often necessary to reduce their numbers. The same may be said for the powerful and ever present Norway rat—it often becomes a fierce bird-killer and destroys every nest it can reach. The slingshot and air-gun do not kill many birds, but they certainly can disturb the peace of mind of birds and keep them ever timid. They should naturally be discouraged everywhere

and especially near a Bird Sanctuary.-