Human activities have caused extinction of many species of birds
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- Human activities have caused extinction of many species of birds
- TALKING; Vermin – New York Times
- utback a winter treat after the summer rains
Human activities have caused extinction of many species of birds
Central Maine Morning Sentinel – Apr 19, 2008
We have lost at least three species of North American birds in the past 200 years. We can clearly point an accusing finger at ourselves for two of these extinctions. The Passenger Pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America migrating in astoundingly large flocks. They were colonial breeders nesting sometimes in groups of 100000 birds or more. The pigeons were hunted commercially as a cheap food for slaves and the poor. The pigeon population declined slowly from 1800 until 1870. As a result of more sophisticated capture techniques the Passenger Pigeon population plummeted during the next 20 years with the last major harvest taken in 1896.
TALKING; Vermin – New York Times
nytimes.com – Apr 19, 2008
Apartment-house cooperatives and condominiums for example often are plagued by pigeons that make a mess of terraces cornices and facades and roost noisily on window-mounted air-conditioners. Suburban homeowners have to contend with the voracious appetite of the carpenter ant – a scourge far more troublesome in the New York metropolitan area than the termite – or the havoc created by birds raccoons bats or squirrels. Understanding the habits of these pests and knowing what measures can be taken to minimize their damage can save dollars and annoyance for homeowners… When a suburban home is about to go on the market the owner would be well advised to have an analysis done by a home-inspection or pest-control company to avoid unexpected problems. The seller normally is required to treat or repair damaged areas if any infestation is found said Norman Kailo a past president of the New Jersey Association of Realtors. In city apartment buildings if pigeons have begun clustering along exterior ledges and windowsills or in a rear courtyard or squirrels are spotted in a nearby tree the problem often may be traced to shareholders or tenants who put out crusts of bread or nuts. The board of directors should strongly advise against feeding pests said Lawrence Dym president of Gabriel Managment which manages some 5000 co-op units throughout New York City. Dym said is that once these creatures are attracted by regular feedings other pests such as rats and mice may join them. He recommended explaining all of this and warning of the health hazards of pigeon droppings or the seriousness of the damage squirrels can cause in a special newsletter.
utback a winter treat after the summer rains
NEWS.com.au – Apr 19, 2008
It’s 150km from one end to the other so in our half-hour flight we never leave the station boundaries until Jock drops us at the "nearby" Noccundra Hotel. "Nearby" is a loose expression in the utback that can mean anything from about 30km to 300km. By the side of the Wilson River the Noccundra Hotel established in 1889 features massive "organic beef burgers" and steak sandwiches inviting frosty beer a pleasant camping area with hot showers and even the local Wilson River Sporting Club where you can fire off a few shotgun rounds at the clay pigeons. Stay and fish for yellow belly perch black bream catfish or crayfish or just watch the eagles and other birdlife that inhabit the big river gums. ur next stop is the famous Dig Tree where explorers Burke and Wills returned for their provisions but soon died from berri-berri. The Dig Tree sits on the 725000ha Nappa Merrie Station and the signs clearly point out where you should and shouldn’t drive. Ranger Alf "Bomber" Johnson will ensure you get a good camping spot ($11) by Cooper Creek and even bring you some firewood while filling you in on the vivid history of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition… It may not be true that Bomber could talk the leg off an iron pot but even a quick question about how he got his nickname can take several minutes: it seems it has something to do with a paper plane he made as a lad that knocked a soldier off his stool. Camping by the banks of the Cooper is one of those truly Aussie inspirational moments. If the majesty of the creek and its abundant fish and bird life don’t get you the history of the area certainly will. This is bush camping so although there are clean and odourless bush toilets there are no showers and no running water. The road from the Dig Tree to Innamincka is treacherous with its sharp and slippery gravel and patches of blinding bulldust. After crossing the border into South Australia look for the sign to Burke’s grave. It’s 5km down a sandy track by a beautiful stretch of the Cooper with Namatjira-style white-trunk gums leaning over the water’s edge.
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