WINTER FEEDING.

Forest and Bird, Issue 23, 1 March 1931, Page 5

WINTER FEEDING.

Some very interesting and apparently accurate observation work has recently been undertaken by the United States Biological Department with the object of ascertaining the difficulties birds have to overcome in passing through the winter.

Approximately 60 coveys of the Bob-white Quail, a bird closely allied to the Californian Ouail at present in New Zealand, were kept under careful observation. The object of the field studies was to ascertain just how the coveys normally wintered under natural conditions. The most significant fact brought out in the season’s studies was that every well-fed covey wintered with almost no loss either from cold or enemy attacks. The individuals in each covey were counted at least once a week and endeavours made to ascertain the fate of any missing. The favourite perch of a red-tailed hawk was situated in the tree above and about 200 yards from the very spot where a wellconditioned covey of 18 frequented in the hope of picking grain out of spread manure. This was a covey which to all appearances had lost no birds since allocated for study, pointing to the fact that hawks of the buzzard rodent-killing family, similar to our harrier, as a whole are not able to catch well-fed, healthy birds having access to suitable cover. On the other hand, it was ascertained that birds which had become weak owing to shortage of food became easy prey to all manner of predatory enemies, and in some cases fell dead ofif their roosts during cold weather.

Winter is a deciding factor in the preservation of most animals and birds, and the observations undertaken clearly demonstrate the ability of well-fed birds to care for themselves against enemies.