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n close season. Tn addition numerous sanctuaries have 
been provided. It is, however, difficult to enforce the 
Act, especially in outlying parts. Even in the suburbs 
oj Brisbane birds are often shot and nests robbed. 
Nobody seems to worry much, except a few bird-lovers. 
Before the 1950 Christmas season, the Department of 
Agriculture and Stock did. however, issue a warning to 
holiday-makers. Officials of the Depot tment of Agri- 
culture and Stock said in the press, in July, 1949. that 
successful administration of the Act rested largely with 
honorary fauna protectors. More than a thousand of 
lliese were scattered throughout the State, in addition 
to some lull-time protectors. These protectors had cer- 
tain limited powers, but the usual custom was to report 
an offence to the police. 
It is quite possible, however, that people often hesi- 
tate to call in the police for fear of making “bad blood’’ 
in the locality. 
Birds can live without man, but it is extremely 
doubtful whether man can live without birds. The 
example ol Lord Howe Island, the home of the Kentia 
Palm, merits description. There were no lats on the 
Island until 1921. when a ship was wrecked on the coast. 
Rats gained access to the shore, multiplied and attacked 
the birds, wiping them out with the exception of a 
Kingfisher and the Pied Currawong. With the 
disappearance of the birds, insects attacked the native 
flora. Rats also ate the palm seed and the palm industry 
languished. The human population eventually con- 
trolled the rats and many of the island’s rare and lovely 
plants were re-introduced. 
Many native birds have been killed in Australia by 
the introduced foxes, while others have become victims 
of poison-baits laid for rabbits. More than 50 years 
ago. domestic cats were turned loose in Western Queens- 
land to kill rabbits and they have also destroyed many 
birds, particularly when rabbits have been reduced in 
numbers by climatic conditions. Aerial baits for dingoes 
have also caused the death of many birds. A writer in 
a locality where such baits have been dropped said. 
“Seldom, if ever, we hear the ‘Jaekoes' merry laughter 
now, the sweet-toned notes of the Butcher Birds or the 
carolling of the Mountain Magpies [Currawongs], They 
are being exterminated by the dropping of airborne 
baits. For every dingo poisoned by this method a 
hundred singing birds are destroyed.” Curiously 
enough, some of these birds have been ‘protected’ under 
the Fauna Protection Act of 1937. 
