96 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Attempts at introduction in otlier countries have not succeeded 

 so well. The mongoose was introduced into the Fiji Islands, prob- 

 abl}" about 1870, but apparently has not increased to the extent to 

 which it has in Hawaii. Early in the eighties several experiments 

 were made in Australia, which resulted in failure. JNIore than a 

 hundred individuals were liberated near the Murraj' River, and 

 others in New South Wales. An experiment was also made in New 

 Zealand, but apparently without much success.' In February, 1892, 

 it was erroneously reported that the Department of Agriculture was 

 about to introduce the mongoose into the United States for the pur- 

 pose of destroying gophers in the West. Although founded on a 

 mistake, and speed il}^ corrected, the rumor was so well heralded by 

 the press that it attracted widespread attention. Persons who were 

 familiar with the situation in Jamaica and Hawaii i^rotested vigor- 

 ously against the supposed experiment. Others, ignorant of the 

 animal's past record and anxious to try some new method of extermi- 

 nating goiDhers, prepared to obtain specimens from Honolulu. By 

 the most strenuous efforts these importations were prevented, and 

 as yet the mongoose is not known to have gained a foothold on this 

 continent. 



FERRETS, STOATS, AXD WEASELS. 



In the attempt to check the rabbit pest in New Zealand, recourse 

 has been had to the importation of natural enemies, such as ferrets, 

 stoats {Puiorius ermineus), and weasels (P. niraJis). In the Waira- 

 rapa district some 600 ferrets, 300 stoats and weasels, and 300 cats 

 had l^een turned out previous to 1887. Between January, 1887, 

 and June, 1888, contracts were made bj' the Government for nearlj^ 

 22,000 ferrets, and several thousand had previously been liberated on 

 Crown and private lands. Large nuniljers of stoats and weasels have 

 also been liberated during the last fifteen years. This host of preda- 

 tory animals speedily brought about a decrease in the number of 

 rabbits, l)ut its work was not confined to rabbits, and soon game birds 

 and other species were found to be diminishing. The stoat and the 

 weasel are much more bloodthirsty than the ferret, and the widespread 

 destruction is attributed to tliem rather than to the latter animal. 

 Now that some of tlie native birds are threatened with extermination, 

 it has lieen suggested to set aside an island along the New Zealand 

 coast where the more interesting indigenous species can be kept safe 

 from their enemies and saved from comi)lete extinction. 



FLYING FOXES, OR FRUIT BATS. 



On August 1, 1803, the steamer Monowai from Australia arrived at 

 San Francisco, having on board a fruit-eating bat, or flying fox. The 

 animal had taken refuge on the steamer off the coast of Australia, 



' Final Rept. Royal Comm. Inquiry Exterm. Rabbits Australasia. 1890, p. 9. 



