ANSERIFORMES 121 



The Auckland Society liberated seventeen in 1867 (and a covey was 

 seen at Mangere the following season), twenty at Howick in 1868, 

 and nine in 1871. Three years later it is reported that "the birds do 

 not seem to have multiplied." In 1875, 8 birds were shipped in 

 London, but only 40 arrived, and these were mostly cocks. They 

 were liberated near Lake Takapuna. The report for that year adds: 

 "The failure of all previous attempts, both in this colony and in 

 Australia, is by no means encouraging." 



The Canterbury Society received ten birds in 1867, and one in 

 1868, the latter being the sole survivor of 45 which were shipped. 

 In 1871 they imported 32 brace, and in 1880 a shipment on a 

 large scale was attempted. No fewer than 240 birds were shipped from 

 London, but only 19 arrived in Christchurch, and were liberated. I 

 do not know if any others were imported by private individuals or 

 not, but it was stated in February, 1869, that "partridges may be 

 counted by the hundred at the Cheviot Hills Station." In 1875 

 Mr R. Bills brought out a number of partridges to the Canterbury 

 Society, and these appear to have been sold and distributed through- 

 out the provincial district. In 1879 another shipment of 25 brace 

 was made, but only a few survived, and these were liberated on the 

 Hororata. 



The Otago Society liberated 31 birds in 1869, and 130 in 1871, 

 They commenced at once to multiply and in the country south 

 and west of Dunedin coveys were frequently flushed. In 1877 

 they were not uncommon from Oamaru to Invercargill. But the 

 introduction of phosphorus poisoning seemed to arrest the pro- 

 gress. 



The Society's report for 1881 says they are "much scattered, but 

 suffering from hawks and poisoned grain." In 1882 they "have 

 become very scarce," and poaching is believed to be the principal 

 cause. In 1885 the "numbers are sadly reduced"; in 1890 "the 

 partridges have almost entirely disappeared"; and in the report for 

 1892 occurs this passage: "Your Council regret that there is every 

 reason to believe that these birds have become extinct." 



Another attempt was made in 1896, when the Society received 

 20 birds from London, and liberated them on the property of 

 Mr R. Charters on the Taieri Plain. They were reported as being 

 seen very often, and doing as well as could be desired. In 1897 

 23 were received from London (out of 24 shipped); nine of these 

 were sent to Mr Charter's property, and the rest to Mr T. Telford 

 of Otanomomo " (to be liberated after the poisoning season is over). " 

 In 1898 the report states: "The partridges turned out on the Taieri 

 do not seem to have increased in numbers." In 1899, "a few are 



