Help the Birds in August

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 3, 31 July 1931, Page 6

Help the Birds in August

HE cause of the birds was again advocated to listeners on Wednesday evening last by Mr. A. E. Wilson, with the special objective of making August widely and popularly observed as "Bird Month." This gentleman’s voice was particularly cultured and pleasant-one of the nicest radio voices I have heard-and I earnestly pray that his address be taken as a model by some other speakers. In his matter I specially liked his anecdote of American experience illustrating the wonderful methods by which Nature preserves the balance between insect and bird life. In the pioneering days of America one of the Western States was overrun by a horde of crickets. These descended like one of the seven plagues of Egypt, and bade fair to sweep the whole State clear of vegetation, and ruin the wheat and barley crops, on which the inhabitants depended, not only for the bare means of existence, but their farming profit. By fires, traps, ploughing-by every device im-aginable-the people strove to stem the invasion. All in vain, and the case seemed hopeless, till out of the blue came a host of seagulls! In her. mysterious way Nature had conveyed the information to the gulls that food a-plenty awaited them. They answered

the call. They ate and ate and ate, and the crickets disappeared before their unceasing hunger. At the end of a fortnight the land was clear, and the gulls departed. Ten years later the crickets, having steadily multiplied in the interval, again reached the stage of becoming a menace to crops and vege-

tation. Once more the gulls answered the call. That incident struck home, and made one regret that more such stories were not used in this speaker’s address. Of the general case for birds, practically all are convinced, leaving little need for stress being laid in the form of what might be termed editorial comment upon their protection. The anecdote strikes home where a_ reasoned summary fails. An anecdote is remembered where balanced phraseology passes out of mind. May I suggest, therefore, to future speakers on behalf of the birds that they "tell us more stories." Their cause will benefit thereby.

3sDedoer0

MADAM WINNIE FRASER. A well-known Christchurch vocalist, who will broadcast a recital from 3YA next week. —Steffano Webb Photo.