ANSERIFORMES 123 



The Taranaki Society in 1894 procured four pairs from some other 

 society, and liberated them in four different localities. In 1902 it 

 was stated that nothing had been seen of them. But in 1904: "it 

 is reported from the Koru district that during the latter part of 

 November or early in December, a covey of partridges had been 

 seen, and indeed one had been killed by a mowing machine passing 

 over a nest." 



Mr J. Glessing of Thames stated in 1913 that partridges would 

 have been a success in the Waikato district, but for the abundance 

 of harrier hawks (Circus gouldi). 



I am not aware of any district in New Zealand where partridges 

 have survived. The causes of their total disappearance are probably 

 the same as in the case of the pheasant, viz. poison, wekas, stoats 

 and weasels, and the great abundance of insect-eating birds 1 . 



French Partridge ; Red-legged Partridge (Caccabis rufa) 



These birds have been introduced from time to time, but the 

 records of the acclimatisation societies are so hazy with regard to 

 various species, that it is almost impossible to speak with certainty 

 on the subject. 



In the Wellington Society's annual report for 1897, we read: 

 " It is reported from the Rangitikei district that red-legged partridges 

 are increasing, and a few are working north into the bush-country." 

 Yet there is no previous record of the introduction of these birds. 



The Canterbury Society imported two in 1867, but lost one of 

 them. They also imported 25 brace of "partridges" in 1897, and these 

 are referred to as "Common Partridges"; it is not clear from the 

 reports to which species they belonged. 



Mr Ayson writing in 1915 says : " They took a hold well in several 

 parts of the Dominion until rabbit-poisoning commenced, and vermin 

 was introduced to destroy rabbits." 



In 1899 1 8 birds were received from London (out of 20 shipped) 

 and were liberated on Stewart Island. According to Mr Traill, these 

 did not succeed in establishing themselves. 



In 1913 the Auckland Society obtained a considerable number in 

 London, but they all died before they could be shipped. 



1 At a meeting of the Tauranga Society (held in 1915) Mr Macmillan suggested 

 that partridge eggs could be brought out to New Zealand (frozen?) and might be 

 successfully hatched out here. "A gentleman residing in Derby had informed him 

 that he had frequently bought New Zealand eggs, which had gone to London and 

 been sold there as fresh-laid Derby eggs. Out of curiosity he had frequently set 

 New Zealand eggs, and from the preserved variety had secured a fair percentage 

 of chicks." It certainly sounds improbable. 



