THE PROBLEMS OF BIRDS AS PESTS: INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY SYMPOSIA. NUMBER 17. Edited by R.K. Murton and E.N. Wright.

1968 1st edition. 8vo (158 x 234mm). Ppxiv,254. B/w photographs, illustrations. Blue cloth, publisher's logo blind-stamped to upper board, spine titled in gilt. 70s.

"Proceedings of a symposium held at the Royal Geographical Society, London, on 28 and 29 September 1967". A useful collection of research papers examining experience in controlling various species of birds. Feral pigeons, sparrows, quelea in Africa, rooks, bullfinches and oystercatchers. Includes much material on bird-strikes to aircraft". In September 1967 the Institute of Biology devoted its annual symposium to the topic of 'Birds as Pests', thus highlighting the increasing conflict between man and wild bird life in such areas as aviation, public health and agriculture. Improved farm efficiency has focused attention on the economic aspects of crop losses to birds, yet suggestions for a yearly cull of the most troublesome species meets with considerable protest from those interested in bird protection and conservation. The paradox between birds as pests and birds as pets is well illustrated by the familiar town pigeon; on one hand, loved by the bird-feeding public, and on the other, detested by Public Health Authorities for its fouling of buildings and disease transmitting potential. Not least among the conflicts between man and birds is the competition for airspace. Over recent years, collisions between birds and aircraft have resulted in considerable loss of life, and much costly damage. Experience in Britain and elsewhere shows that these problems cannot be solved simply by killing harmful birds. Scaring remains the most effective way to protect crops, using such techniques as recorded bird calls; while the use of radar to detect flocks of birds in flight offers at least some safeguard for aircraft". Contents include:- Birds and Aircraft:- Chairman's introduction by Sir Landsborough Thomson; Birds and aircraft: the problems by E.R. Stables and N.D. New; Prospective considerations concerning bio-acoustics in relation to bird-scaring techniques by R.G. Busnel and J. Giban; Recent developments in bird scaring on airfields by T. Brough; Bird recognition by radar: a study in quantitative radar ornithology by G. Schaefer; A bird warning system for aircraft in flight by W.W.H. Gunn and V.E. Solman; Modification of the habitat as a means of bird control by E.N. Wright. Birds and Agriculture:- Chairman's introduction by R.K. Cornwallis; The rook problem in north-east Scotland by G.M. Dunnet and I.J. Patterson; The oystercatcher - a pest of shellfisheries by P.E. Davidson; Some predator-prey relationships in bird damage and population control by R.K. Murton; Urban bird problems by J.P. Thearle; Bullfinches and fruit buds by I. Newton; The quelea problem in Africa by J.H. Crook and P. Ward; Chairman's conclusion by V.C. Wynne-Edwards.