CARNIVORA 73 



he used formerly to keep as many as 16 dogs on his place, and also 

 employed ferrets, phosphorised oats and pollard, and in spite of most 

 strenuous efforts he was only able to hold the rabbits in check. 

 Since the introduction of stoats and weasels the rabbits have become 

 fewer and fewer in number, and now, on his property of 7000 acres, 

 the pest has practically disappeared, except in one corner where 

 trapping is carried on. Where trappers are allowed to work, rabbits 

 increase, for numbers of stoats and weasels are thus destroyed. 

 Mr Flett's experience and opinions are those of many large land- 

 holders throughout New Zealand. 



My son, G. Stuart Thomson, has given me this note on the 

 destructive action of the stoat. He says : 



At Lee Stream, in the Taieri district I saw a rabbit paralysed with 

 fright and uttering squeals of terror, and on looking round for the cause 

 observed a stoat fully ten feet away walking deliberately towards the victim. 

 The rabbit was killed by one bite on the neck. A few weeks ago a lady 

 informed me that she had seen a somewhat similar occurrence at Brighton, 

 but in this case the rabbit struggled to the lady for protection, and fell 

 trembling at her feet, while the stoat disappeared. 



In regard to any natural enemy it is, of course, absolutely certain 

 that it cannot exterminate, but can only keep in check, the animal 

 it is intended to cope with. If it does more, then its own means of 

 livelihood are imperilled, or it has to find other victims 1 . Thus one 

 direct benefit which stoats and weasels confer is the wholesale de- 

 struction of rats and mice which they cause. Indirectly this may explain 

 why certain birds, such as wekas among native species, and Calif ornian 

 quail among introduced forms, have increased of late years in districts 

 where both stoats and weasels abound. It may be that rats are more 

 destructive to eggs and to young birds than even stoats and weasels. 

 The latter certainly will not touch birds if they can get rats. Mr Flett, 

 whom I have referred to above, tells me that 20 years ago rats were 

 a perfect curse about the homesteads, destroying harness, sheep-skins, 

 grain and food, but that since the weasels appeared the rats have 

 absolutely gone. He states he has not seen one about his place for 

 i 6 years. 



The evidence regarding the destruction of the native avifauna by 

 stoats and weasels is very inconclusive. Imported to destroy rabbits, 

 they have penetrated into regions where rabbits are unknown, and 

 where their food must have consisted exclusively of birds and bush 

 rats (Mus rattus). Yet even in such districts there is evidence that 

 native birds still survive in abundance, and there are also cases where 

 birds like wekas, etc. have re-established themselves. 



1 In Taranaki, in March 1917, a litter of nine sucking-pigs was found destroyed 

 one night, apparently either by stoats or weasels. 



