NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The- New Zealand Government having wisely decided to exhibit a large and complete collection of native birds at the Empire Exhibition at Wembley, visitors from all inhabited parts of the world will have an opportunity of viewing the many anomalous and unique avian forms evolved in the New Zealand region. Specimens of the gigantic moa (Dinornis), whose approximate date of extinction is an earnestly debatable question, will be included in the group associated with the nocturnal kiwi which Sir Walter Buller in his classic History of the Birds of New Zealand 'maintains is " the diminutive representative of colossal types that have disappeared." Since the first specimens arrived in England in 1812, and later were followed by specimens of other remarkable and unique species, the New Zealand avifauna has been the admiration of ornithologists and bird lovers in all lands. The late Professor W. A. Parker pro- claimed the kiwi as " one of the proudest possessions of the Colony." New Zealanders are all justly proud of their unique and wondrous native birds. Owing to the many causes operating against their welfare during the progress of settle- ment, some species are already extinct, while others are rapidly disappearing, and have become extremely rare. The acci- dental introduction of the Norway rat and ferrets, stoats and weasels by the Government to cheek the spread of rabbits has proved appallingly disastrous to the native birds.
In the large collection exhibited at Wembley are specimens of the kiwis of both islands, the curious laughing owl, the nestor, or sheep-killing parrot, the tame and inquisitive semi-apterous wekas of both islands, and the parson bird and bell bird, whose songs are " a joy for ever." To all who have heard them, to all students and lovers of birds the magnificent collection exhibited at Wembley may be, to many, the opportunity of a lifetime to view them.
Three years ago bird lovers in New Zealand founded " The New Zealand Native Birds Protection Society." By enforcing the provisions of The Amended Animals Protection Act, 1922, and the good work of the society we hope better to protect and perpetuate the remaining species of our charming and unique avifauna.—I am, Sir, &c., W. W. SMITH. New Plymouth, New Zealand.
[Our correspondent encloses notices about the legislation for protecting birds. These notices, which describe the valuable services rendered to agriculturists and others by most birds, are printed on linen. This is an excellent idea. The notices are durable and cannot disintegrate like paper into untidy fragments.—En. Spectator.]
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