NATIVE GREY DUCK

Forest and Bird, Issue 58, 1 November 1940, Page 12

NATIVE GREY DUCK

By Ahu-Whenua.

There is one important measure of protection which is still awaiting the approval of the authorities. This is the complete protection of the native grey duck for a period of years; three years is the shortest term likely to be of any use in arresting the diminution of the species, which is being brought about mainly by overshooting, with perhaps the destruction of its feeding grounds, and the depredations of rats as other important factors. One careful observer reports that 90 per cent, of the grey ducklings on his property are killed by these rodents. There is an acclimatised bird that could with benefit take the place of the grey duck for sport, and that is the swan, both the black and the white. Swan are greedy feeders, and their increase means the decrease of the duck and also of the pukeko and grebe in the lakes and lagoons. It may be laid down as a safe principle in forest and in lake and river life that any foreign wild creature is injurious to our native birds and bush. And it may also be accepted as a principle of control that every native creature is of some use or other in the scheme of Nature if unspoiled by acclimatised animals. That the shags and even the hawks that arouse the rage of acclimatisation societies have their place in the balance of Nature is supported by* scientific evidence.