BIRD MONTH.

Forest and Bird, Issue 33, 1 June 1934, Page 5

BIRD MONTH.

Everybody Can Help.

Viewing the whole as a whole New Zealand may be looked upon, from a bird point of view, with the same idea as a pastoralist looks upon his holding. He knows that the limit of his carrying capacity is the number of stock which can be successfully wintered. So he supplements the natural available food supply by growing turnips, etc., in order that he may make full use of the plentitude of food in the coming spring. So it is with birds and most creatures.

The available winter food supply is the deciding factor in giving us a sufficient number of birds to combat the prolific spring breeding of harmful insects which, increasing at a much more rapid rate than birds, annually cause grave losses. Therefore, let us double the excellent orts which many have made in the past, thus helping more birds to live through the hard times' of winter. Enough waste of food daily takes place to feed hosts of birds, and by feeding the birds we can prevent them from eating that which we do not wish them to, such as our early peas, etc., because they are usually driven by sheer necessity to such sources of food which at other times are unpalatable. Beef suet, heavily

sweetened porridge and milk, cooked potatoes, nay; almost any refuse, will be consumed by most birds when hungry, including tuis and bellbirds. It has, moreover, been fully determined by skilled observers that well-fed birds can easily avoid their enemies if cover is handy, because they are alert and have the dash and speed to seek the safety which the cover affords. In these facts, by the way, lies the panacea for the preservation of our fast disappearing waterfowl. They need cover in

the form of sanctuaries' and feeding thereon. August has been selected as usually the most pressing winter month, and it is therefore called “Bird Month.” The feeding of birds presents little difficulty. Soon they will recognise their benefactors and come to the sound of a bell or whistle, if so desired, provided the summons and food are regularly given. It is advisable not to feed over a heavy growth of grass or other plant life, as some of the food usually is dropped on the ground and in seeking it birds get hopelessly wet and chilled. Therefore let your food station be over cultivated or bare ground. Quite a good idea to keep the ever-present neighbour’s cat in check is to fence in a small area, say 12 or 20 feet in width, with large-mesh wire-netting to a height of 6 feet. The birds fly to the feeder through and over the netting while pussy stays outside.

“The best conservation laws are graven upon the hunter’s conscience,” remarks a contributor to “American Game." Now, are they? Suppose that there is no conscience? Sad experience has proved that many hunters utterly lack conscience. Any attempt to touch them through their conscience would be like trying to thrust a feather through a crocodile’s hide.