44 MAMMALIA 



More recent importations have been as follows: 



In 1900 the Southland Society received one stag and two hinds 

 from Sir Rupert Clark, Victoria; and in 1901 two stags and eight 

 hinds from the same source. From these, herds were started at Lake 

 Manapouri, and at the Hump, to the west of the Waiau. 



In 1903 either seven or eight fawns were obtained from Victoria, 

 presented by Miss Audrey Chirnside of Werribee Park, and were 

 liberated at Mount Tuhua in Westland. In 1906 four more from the 

 same source were added to this herd, and eight were liberated at Lake 

 Kanieri. 



In 1903 the Tourist Department obtained eight deer from the 

 Duke of Bedford, and liberated them at Lake Wakatipu. In 1908 four 

 were obtained from Warnham Park, Sussex, England, and were liber- 

 ated at Paraparaumu. In 1909 three were liberated at Dusky Sound. 



The five original importations of red deer account for the vast 

 numbers of these animals which are now to be met with in so many 

 mountainous parts of both islands, for many of the societies as well 

 as the Tourist Department have obtained deer from one or other 

 of the original herds and have started new herds in other districts, e.g. 

 the country round Taupo and Rotorua, the West Coast Sounds of the 

 South Island, and Stewart Island, and these are all increasing. In re- 

 gard to the last named locality, six fawns taken from the Wairarapa 

 herd were liberated on the banks of the Fresh Water River at the 

 head of Paterson Inlet in April, 1901. In the following year twelve 

 more from the Werribee Park herd were liberated in the same locality. 

 From a report made for the Southland Acclimatisation Society by 

 Mr Moorhouse, who inspected the Stewart Island herds in 1918, it 

 is evident that the deer are now very numerous in the wooded 

 northern and western parts of the island. Stewart Island is a sanctuary 

 for native birds, and this stocking of the island with deer means the 

 opening up of it to stalkers. Mr Woodhouse says : 



Indications to be seen in this big belt of bush clearly go to prove that 

 the deer must be very numerous. Well-beaten tracks lead from the bush 

 to the various clearings, on which grow flax and a coarse tussock. In the 

 bush can be seen their various camping grounds, and the trees and shrubs 

 show where they have been feeding on the barks and leaves. 



To the naturalist it is deplorable that an animal should have been 

 introduced into this sanctuary, which compels men with guns and 

 probably with dogs to go in, in order to keep them in check to 

 some extent. Writing to me in August, 1918, Mr Hardcastle says: 



Deer increase more rapidly in New Zealand than in the northern 

 hemisphere. Whether there is a larger percentage of calves born, I cannot 

 say, probably there is, considering the conditions here. But the large 



