WILD DOGS. 65 



dogs of approximate colour is a very strong evidence also in favour 

 of this opinion." 



At one time wild dogs were so common in Marlborough and did 

 so much damage on the sheep-runs that packs of hunting-dogs 

 were bred for the special purpose of running them down. As 

 settlement proceeded and the country became opened up wild dogs 

 were gradually exterminated. The only ones which are now met 

 with are curs which have taken to rabbits or to sheep-killing, and 

 have managed to escape from their owners. 



Bellingshausen reported wild dogs on the Macquaries in 1820, 

 but it is improbable that they long survived the sealers, who pro- 

 bably generally brought them to the islands. As soon as the killing 

 of seals and sea-lions stopped the dogs in all probability died out. 

 Captain Musgrave, who was wrecked on Auckland Island in 

 1864, discovered wild dogs, like sheep-dogs, on the island. Their 

 case, however, was probably similar to those on the Macquaries, 

 for I am not aware that any subsequent visitor to the island has 

 seen them. 



In a reprint from the Auckland Herald of the 18th November, 

 1866, we read, "It is not generally known that about Otamatea 

 and the Wairoa the bush is infested with packs of wild dogs, as 

 ferocious, but more daring, than wolves. These dogs hunt in packs 

 of from three to six or eight. They are strong, gaunt, large 

 animals, and dangerous when met by a man alone. Not long since 

 a Maori, when travelling from one settlement to another through 

 the forest, was attacked by three of these animals at dusk, and 

 only saved himself by climbing into a tree, where he was kept 

 prisoner until late the next day. The extensive district over which 

 these packs roam was once well stocked with wild pigs, but most 

 of these have fallen victims to the dogs, and since this supply of 

 food has failed the dogs have ventured after dark to the neighbour- 

 hood of Native settlements and the homesteads of European settlers 

 in quest of prey." 



3-Wild Life in N Z. 



