DESTRUCTION OF NATIVE BIRDS IN NEW SOUTH WALES NORTH. 17 



The destruction of NATIVE BIRDS in 

 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



By Alfred J. North, C.M.Z.S., Ornithologist. 



During a visit to the head-waters of two of the North-Coast rivers, 

 I ascertained that an incredible number of the beautifully 

 plumaged males of the Rifle-bird and Regent Bower-bird were 

 destroyed throughout the year, a large export trade being done 

 in the skins of these species, chiefly for the purposes of adorn- 

 ment and decoration of ladies' hats and dresses. 



The wanton destruction of a more modestly plumaged, but equally 

 attractive species, has been brought prominently under the notice 

 of the public through an article entitled "The destruction of Lyre- 

 birds," in the columns of a newspaper,^ in which the writer records 

 that a man, carrying a number of Lyre-birds' tails, or rather portions 

 of tails, had called on him the previous day, asking if he would 

 purchase one. Inquiries made elicited the fact that the man had 

 collected about two hundred and fifty of them on the Paterson 

 River, New South Wales, during the open season, and a lot more 

 the previous one. The pertinent question is asked, "Why should 

 any one be allowed to shoot these beautiful birds'!" 



The three species of Lyre-bird comprising the genus Menura, 

 all of which are found in New South Wales, are possessors of the 

 richest and most varied notes of any bird in Australia, and as 

 mocking-birds are unequalled in the world. The tails referred to 

 above, which I saw being offered for sale in George and Pitt- 

 streets, Sydney, on the same day all belonged to the oldest 

 described species of the genus, Meiiura superba, and were those 

 of the male birds only. As the Lyre-bird builds in the early 

 winter months, and the single egg laid by it in a season is usually 

 deposited in July, it is evident that many of these birds were 

 shot while paired, for the close season does not commence until 

 the 1st of August. All species of the Lyre-bird, the Rifle-bird, and 

 the Regent Bower-bird, should be accorded absolute protection 

 throughout the year. "The Bird Protection Act of 1893," is a 

 very useful piece of legislation, but its clauses are, unfortunately, 

 as a rule, more honoured in the breach than in the observance. 



1 Sydney Daily Telegrajili, 29th August, 1900. 

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