Recently I came across the following in the Brisbane Courier Mail
dated 23/6/97.
"When are the authorities going to do something about the crow menace
? These air-borne bullies,predators and disease-carriers have
increased with the urban sprawl. Noise abatement laws allow for
prosecution of humans for disturbing the peace before 7am. Crows wake
up neighbourhoods as early 4.30am in summer with impunity.It seems
they're protected and council and government officers whom I have
approached on the matter say, with a yawn, that there's nothing they
can do about it.
John Pullinger ,Carina."
!Bampot ! thought I, disposing the newspaper in the bin ( re
cyclicable section ) Perhaps its getting close to the 1st April..
Struth and shiver me timbers etc. On the Saturday 28/6/97 yet an
other letter in a similar vein appeared in the Courier ,as follows.
"Crow ! They are the rats on the wing ,vermin of the air , a health
hazard.
Britain, Japan and Russia have organized " rook shoots " to reduce
the explosive growth of this infernal bird in their cities . Why not
here in Brisbane ? No time is wasted getting the council rat men out
to get rid of the rodent from under the house . We toss canetoads in
the bin by the bucket-load and lobby to hush the rowdy hound yet
do-gooders with a couple of letters after their name wax lyrical on
the benefits of having the equivalent of 40 rabid dogs baying from
the blue gums, sun-up until sundown.
Corvus Orru and Coronoides drive other birds out of their territory
and eat the young and eggs. Crows don't clean up road kills in
suburbia, as is widely believed . they feed too well on urban
flotsam-jetsam . The many wheels on the road and cats in our parks
dispense with carrion before the crow gets a sniff.
Why do I say that crows are a health hazard ( the irritating,
piercing bark as noise pollution not withstanding ) ? The blasted
pests have me arrested , fined , nearly jailed ,poisoned and
hospitalized - that's why !
Nearly shot a bloke in the park in pursuit of the dreaded crow
.Skipped two slugs past his toes; Left the shotee and the idiotic
shooter a shattered wreck for week. The ensuing police visitation
impressed the family no end. The magistrate seriously tightened my
collar for a bit.
Deadly hemlock was sought and secured. Had the crow well and truly
measured this time.About to claim victory when alas inadvertently
poisoned self while washing hands. A over Z , and next thing it's
intensive care with beeping boxes and tubes everywhere. Mum
confiscates poison . ( Mum should have him drink remainder, perhaps
?)
But can't you see ? I'm a public nuisance because of the Crow. They're
sending me blinking mental. Come on council folk. A metaphorical.rook
rook shoot is overdue. Plant plenty of trees, sure but crowless trees
, please , because I'm damn near completely out of mine and someone
has pinched my shanghai.
R.K. Banfield, Wavell Heights."
Just what is going on . I know I'm from the country but is there
something going on I should know about.
Is this something cooked up by members of birding-aus to see if there
is anyone out there ?
Has the colouration of the said bird have anything to do with the
resentment ( bear in mind recent changes in expected political
correctness ) ?
Have members of the Koel, Channel-billed cuckoo, Noisy friarbird,
Magpies and perhaps even the less than subtle
Kookaburra tribe concocted a fiendish plot to get rid of the
opposition.? Almost certainly they would be familiar with the sunday
names of the crows and ravens.
Is it, perhaps,.a.desperate ploy of the frustrated gun lobby ?
An indication of the general shortage of good second hand brains,
perhaps ?
Should the council try some " No Crow singing allowed " signs ?
Would the Greatest hits of Tiny Tim, played from the rear of a council
van at full blast, just as the blasted bird began the dawn choir
practice help .
Any way it beats me
peace to all the little feathered songsters and happy birding .
Ron Hughes
Ron Hughes
Brisbane +1000
Queensland, Australia
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