io6 BIRDS 



Except where strictly preserved the goose has no chance of sur- 

 viving, for it never becomes truly wild in New Zealand. 



In 1887 a flock of about 20 geese frequented the east lagoon 

 on Ruapuke in Foveaux Straits ; they were very wild and after being 

 shot at with rifles (though none were obtained) they appear to have 

 shifted their quarters. Mr W. Traill, of Ulva, to whom I am indebted 

 for this information, says that some years later a flock used to be seen 

 about Bench Island, but when persons went to shoot them, they 

 made off to the extensive swamps at the head of Lord's River. These 

 were grey geese, probably belonging to the common species, but 

 specimens have never been secured for identification. 



White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 



In 1905 the Wellington Society received two of these birds, which 

 were imported by the Government. There is no further record. The 

 species is only a winter visitor in Britain; it breeds in the North, 

 mostly within the Arctic Circle. 



Oregon Wild Goose ; Snow Goose (Chen hyperboreus) 



In 1877 the Auckland Society received ten from Mr T. Russell, 

 and ultimately liberated them at Matamata. They failed however to 

 establish themselves. 



Cape Barren Goose ; Australian Wild Goose 

 (Cereopsis novce-hollandice) 



The Auckland Society liberated two -of these at Riverhead, some 

 time before 1869, but they disappeared. 



In 1871 the Canterbury Society received two from Mr G. Gould, 

 but no further record of them was kept. 



In 1912 the Otago Society received two, and sent them to the 

 Government Poultry Farm at Milton, where several young were 

 reared. From these, four were placed at the head of Lake Hawera 

 in 1915, and others sent down to the Society's hatchery at Clinton. 

 They appear to be doing well by latest reports. 



Adelaide Goose 



The Auckland Society introduced two birds in 1867, under this 

 name. I do not know what species this is unless it is the maned goose, 

 Chlamydocen jubata. 



* Australian Black Swan (Chenopsis atratus) 



This is one of the pronounced successes of naturalisation in New 

 Zealand. 



