^"',gfj^] Ecnunmic Sirtia,,. 3I7 



Economic Section. 



Objects of the Economic Section. I would propose tliat the 

 objects of this section should be (</) To put forward in a practical 

 way knowledge of the economic value of birds ; {h) to contain 

 notes on feeding habits ; (c) to show liow to maintain, preserve, 

 and increase the useful birds of any district ; {d) to note tlie 

 enemies of birds, and the best way of checking same ; [c) to 

 keep clieck, in a general way, of the numbers of our birds in 

 various districts, in order to see if any serious increase or de- 

 crease is taking place, and if possible to get at the cause ; 

 (/) to ensure that the results of this work be sent to the 

 various Departments of Agriculture in each State, for distribution 

 through the Agricultural Gazettes and other channels to tjie 

 farmers and pastoralists. 



The duty of the members of the Union is to lead in the 

 matter of economic ornithology, as among them are to be found 

 the most experienced and observant ornithologists. 



The immense value of the bird life to the country is how 

 fairly well recognized, but so far we are only trying on very ])road 

 lines to preserve them, by means of Acts of Parliament in th(^ 

 first place, and by creating a " bird sentiment " through the ad- 

 mirable Gould Leagues. These efforts do not get at the root of 

 the matter, and something more practical is required to enal)le 

 our l)ird fauna in the settled districts to thrive in the changing 

 conditions that occupation of the land brings about. On our 

 farms and stations, in the vast majority of cases, even when the 

 economic value of the birds is recognized, they are not given 

 any special consideration, and are left to battle against adverse 

 circumstances as best they can ; but, considering the assistance 

 that they are in keeping in check destructive insect life, to say 

 nothing of the life and interest that they add to the l.mdscape, 

 it is time well spent, and money saved, to help them in an\- way 

 to maintain th(>mselves in safety. 



Nominally the bird ])opulation of an\' district should be up 

 to the liiuit of the food supply availal)le, but actually this factor 

 is disturl)ed by several side issues, some of which are under our 

 control, notably that of providing them with cover, nesting sites, 

 and safe watering-places, and by protecting them from, or elim- 

 inating as far as possible, their enemies. The work of clearing 

 the average property is usually done much too thoroughly, ancl 

 even if a few trees are left provision is seldom made for the 

 young growth to take their place when they die off, and large 

 areas are left devoid of timber and shelter for stock or bircls 

 and at the mercy of insect pests. A great deal can l)e done for 

 our bird life by elimination of their enemies. The penny wise 

 and pound foolish policy of surface poisoning of rabbits is now 

 being superseded by the much more effective process of digging 

 out ; but to allow the properties to be overrun with cats and 

 foxes is to (U-stroy inueh invaluable bird life. Our bird fauna 



