WHY NOT IN N.Z. ALSO?

Forest and Bird, Issue 25, 1 October 1931, Page 14

WHY NOT IN N.Z. ALSO?

Warning signs reading “Look out for the trains” no longer mean danger to game birds and other wild life in Missouri. They are only invitations to dinner. Three railroad companies operating in that state have designated their rights of way, stretching into thousands of acres, as game and bird sanctuaries. They have ordered that all natural food and cover be saved, and requested trainmen to help the game and fish department to distribute food during the winter. The Kansas City Southern, Missouri-Kansas-Texas and Missouri Pacific lines issued the orders in response to an appeal from John H. Ross, commissioner of fish and game. It is estimated that thousands of bushels of valuable bird seed will be preserved from the customary practice of burning over or mowing the rights of way. Shelters and inviolate nesting grounds for the birds will be provided along fence rows, where they are badly needed because of intense farm cultivation in many sections. Food furnished by the conservation department, and scattered by trainmen along the rights of way during the snowy season will also save birds that would otherwise starve because of a shortage of natural food after the drought. Missouri and other northern states have enlisted the aid of rural mail .carriers, Boy Scouts, agricultural students, Campfire Girls and many sportsmen’s groups in their winter feeding campaigns. Conservation groups in Missouri alone last winter distributed 88,000 pounds of food.- —American Game.