ANSERIFORMES 101 



(six pairs) to the Westland Society, which liberated them at Lake 

 Kanieri. 



It is very doubtful whether the species will establish itself in this 

 country. It breeds in the northern portion of temperate Europe, 

 extending northwards beyond the limit of forest growth, and occasion- 

 ally in the British Isles. It winters in Southern Europe, India, South 

 China, Formosa, and Japan ; it is only a partial resident in Britain. 



Gadwell's Duck, Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperus) 



The Wellington Society introduced some in 1894 and 1895; but 

 have kept no record of them. 



The species is only a partial resident in Britain, where it mostly 

 winters; breeding in Iceland, North Russia and Central Europe. 



Korean Duck (Eunetta falcata) 



The Wellington Society received some (? date) from Sir F. Sargood, 

 and since 1905 have reared a considerable number. They have ap- 

 parently no later record of having turned them out. 



* Mallard, English Wild Duck (Anas boscas) 



In spite of the fact that the native wild duck of New Zealand 

 (Anas superciliosa] is as fine a bird both for sport and table purposes 

 as any species of the family that can be introduced, the various 

 acclimatisation societies have for many years made continuous efforts 

 to naturalise other species, and notably the mallard. 



The Otago Society got a pair in 1867 from the Melbourne Society, 

 and later from London introduced five in 1869, four in 1870, three 

 in 1876, and nine in 1881. Apparently none of these early introduc- 

 tions throve, for there is no record of their increase or distribution, 

 except that some were sent north to Kakanui, and others down to 

 Riverton. In 1896 21 birds were received from London. Of these 

 ten were forwarded to the Southland Society, and the rest were kept 

 at Clinton for breeding purposes. In 1897 another lot was imported 

 and these were handed over to Mr Telford of Clifton to be bred from. 

 In more recent years numbers have been reared in different localities 

 and have been liberated in such quantity that shooting was allowed 

 in 1915. Between 1910 and 1918 the Southland Society have also 

 liberated nearly 1350 birds in their district. They may, now, there- 

 fore, be considered to be established in the southern portion of the 

 South Island. 



The Auckland Society imported two in 1870, and four in 1886, 

 and kept them in the Domain for breeding purposes. But there is 

 no record of their further progress. 



