74 Correspondence. [isfTii 



In the old days my grandfather, the late John White, owned 

 a station in the South-East at Avenue Range — that was in 

 the forties — and his son (my father) travelled backwards and 

 forwards from his home here at the Reed-beds to the station b^'' 

 way of the Coorong. In those days the bird-life, consisting of a 

 great many species, were in countless thousands, and the waters 

 of the Coorong teemed with fish. When the fishermen began to 

 set their nets and send the fish to the Adelaide market years after 

 this, the fishermen became obsessed by that erroneous idea that 

 the Cormorants were taking all the fish (these birds were very 

 plentiful then — they were to be seen in thousands), so the fisher- 

 men started slaughtering the birds, and the Government was 

 induced by unwise counsel to put " blood-money " upon the 

 heads of Cormorants and Pelicans. This went on for years, until 

 the ranks of the Cormorants were so decimated that where they 

 could once be seen in thousands there was not a bird to be seen 

 to-day. Result : fish of all kinds have been very scarce for years 

 past in the Coorong, and not only that, but the fishermen are 

 suffering the loss of hundreds of pounds sterling each year by the 

 ravages of the crabs, for these crustaceans not only attack and 

 destroy any fish caught in the set nets, but entangle themselves 

 in the nets by the hundreds, rendering the nets useless. Man is 

 paying dearly for his folly, yet he learns httle or nothing by it. — • 

 Yours, &c., ^ - ' g ^ WHITE. 



" Wetunga," Fulham (S.A.), 26/5/i(). 



Bird Protection. 

 By H. V. Edwards, Bega, N.S.W. 

 Although the latest Bird Protection Acts — a distinct im- 

 provement on their somewhat crude and certainly ineffective 

 predecessors — have proved beneficial and a stronger deterrent on 

 the reckless destruction of useful species, many valuable birds 

 are still destroyed at times either wantonly or through ignorance. 

 It would be a wise step, I think, if — as is done by the various 

 Fisheries Departments — notices printed on linen were affixed on 

 trees and in other conspicuous places containing a schedule of the 

 birds " black-listed " — that is, which may be shot, &c., in any 

 season, and drawing attention to the penalties which may be 

 inflicted for the destruction of birds either absolutely protected 

 or at least protected during their breeding season — comprising, of 

 course, all birds not so " black-listed." The principle of appointing 

 " honorary rangers " may be good, but few persons will, I tliink, 

 be found willing to accept the office. Where a prosecution for 

 destroying, &c., a protected bird is at the instance of, or upon 

 information laid by, a member of the police force or other salaried 

 official, no odium is incurred ; but where steps are taken at the 

 instance of an honorary ranger some ill-feeling may be engendered, 

 although he carries out a duty of benefit to the wliole community. 



