Regarding the shooting of Yellow Chats for food (Spaghetti Bolognaise or
whatever), it seems to me rather unlikely that there would ever have been
enough Yellow Chats in the Top End to make many meals. I recall the
excitement of going out with John McKean to look for Yellow Chats in the
South Alligator region. Excitement as much generated by the birds' rarity as
their beauty. There are apparently still records of the bird in that region
but they're not easy to find. Hunting is unlikely to be the reason though.
But Denise may be right about Emu, and perhaps some others though she didn't
state any more species. Emu has apparently been hunted almost to extinction
(for Bush Tucker) at least in the north-east Top End. Bustard was apparently
common in the Top End before WWII, but was almost completely shot out
apparently by soldiers.
I suggest there are more birds that will survive on a cattle station without
hunting pressure than in an area that is under constant heavy hunting
pressure.
Happy birding and eating
Niven
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