368 Letters, Announcements, i^c. 



these attempts succeeded, and, I believe, for the following 

 reasons : in the first instance, extremely wet cold weather set 

 in immediately after the birds were liberated, and, continuing 

 through a long period, proved too trying for them to survive 

 it in a strange land ; in the second instance, the birds arrived 

 here at the commencement of the Pheasant-shooting season ; it 

 was thought advisable to keep them until the season should be 

 over, in order to avoid the chance of their being shot; they suf- 

 fered through the confinement, and doubtless, when turned 

 loose, were unable, in their weakened state, to cope with the 

 difficulties which a new country must at first present. 



In the month of September 1868, Mr. George Moss, of this 

 island,introduced from Europe a cage containing seventeen Larks. 

 These were in good condition when set loose at "Plantation,^' the 

 governor's residence, and were subsequently seen ; but no very 

 recent report of them has been received : this makes it doubtful if 

 they still exist here, although it is possible. The same gentleman 

 also tells me that about twenty years ago he set loose some Pon- 

 dicherry Quails ; but none are now to be found in the island. 

 He also confirms the report recently given to me by bird- 

 catchers, that the true Canary {Crithagra canaria) is now to be 

 seen in a wild state here. 



A cage of common Indian Grey Quails was sent to the island 

 by Mr. Andrew Anderson, arriving here on the 20th April, 

 1869. I was absent from the island at the time, but am told 

 on good authority that the birds were in good condition, though 

 somewhat weak in the wing through confinement. They were 

 set loose at " The Briars,'^ but have not since been seen. I fear 

 it is probable that they fell victims to cats and rats. 



With a view to introducing here some enemy to the White 

 Ant insects {Termes tenuis), which are most destructive to house- 

 and other j)roperty situated in Jamestown, I brought with me, 

 on returning to the island from England on the 1st November 

 last year, a cage of English birds containing seven Blackbirds, 

 six Thrushes, twenty-six common London Sparrows, five Green 

 Linnets, and one Starling; during the voyage each bird was in 

 a separate compartment of the cage, excepting the Sparrows and 

 Linnets; and being a fellow-passenger with them I was able to 



