Correspondence



57



The following interesting letters and notes are from the Report of the

Avicultural Society of New Zealand for 1932 :—


THE PUKEKO 1


Until about three years ago the Pukeko (or Swamp Hen) had the doubtful

honour of being classed as “ native game 55 . Of course the Pukeko is not a

game bird in any sense of the word, but it was something to shoot. In fact

in this respect they were very popular as they have several characteristics

which appeal to the so-called sportsmen. They may, for instance, be shot

with ease while feeding unsuspectingly in the paddocks. Further, if alarmed

they usually prefer to run rather than fly, this of course gives the shooter

a chance to display his skill: and even.when forced to take wing the flight

is sufficiently slow and laboured to make it an “ even break ”—for the man.


With so much to recommend it to sporting circles is it any wonder that

a howl of indignation went up when it was placed on the list of absolutely

protected birds ? Reasons for its slaughter came in from every quarter

(sportsmen are found all over our fair Dominion). It destroys Duck eggs

they said. It devours vast quantities of grain. It ruins grain stacks

and so on.


My own observations of the Pukeko feeding among my own crops of millet,

turnips, and oats, I handed on to the Native Bird Protection Society.


These observations absolutely exonerated the bird on my farm, although

they were fairly numerous. At the same time it is possible under certain

circumstances it does do damage, but isolated cases cannot be used as an

argument for wholesale destruction of the bird.


The Native Bird Protection Society brought pressure to bear on the

Department of Internal Affairs, who finally decided to investigate. Con¬

sequently between the 5th November, 1928, and 16th September, 1929, a

number of birds were shot in districts where the damage they committed

was supposed to be greatest. The net result of this investigation is

altogether in favour of the Pukeko.


Now as regards the egg-eating habits. I secured a Pukeko and for a

fortnight fed it on green stuff and scraps. Then for twelve hours I left it with

only an egg in the pen. At the end of that time as the egg was still intact,

I broke it and left it in a saucer. Another eight hours went by and the egg

was untouched. As I considered this sufficient test I then fed the bird with

its usual food which it ate greedily.


This does not prove that all Pukekos are abstainers as far as eggs are

concerned ; it does, however, conclusively show that all are not egg thieves,

and thereby another “ frame-up ” is exposed.


Since writing the above article I have definite information that a number

of farmers who had in the past wanted the Pukeko destroyed are now its

champions and want it preserved, and in places where it has disappeared

wish to have it re-introduced. This bird they consider is one of the best

agents in destroying that menace to grass lands, the grass grub.


S. D. Potter.



The Black-backed Porphyrio (Porphyrio melanotus).



