ANSERIFORMES 125 



them being liberated at Waikouaiti, and the other half at Popotunoa 

 (Clinton). The following is the record of the Society in regard to 

 this bird in the years succeeding its introduction: (1881) "they are 

 numerous about Queenstown, also seen in the Clutha district and in 

 the Upper Clutha Valley ; numerous about Palmerston "5(1882)" doing 

 well at Queenstown, Goodwood," etc.; (1885) "their numbers sadly 

 reduced"; (1892) "these birds are in considerable numbers in some 

 localities, principally along the coast, where little poisoned grain is 

 used"; (1896) "reported as being on the increase in places where 

 they were not exterminated by the poisoned grain laid for the rabbits, 

 and it is known that the poisoned pollard, which is largely used now 

 for the destruction of rabbits, is less injurious to game birds than 

 poisoned grain"; (1897) "numbers to be seen in the lower parts of 

 the Otago Peninsula, and on the ridges in the neighbourhood of 

 Clyde." They gradually disappeared from the neighbourhood of 

 Dunedin and from both shores of Otago Harbour, and this certainly 

 was not due to poisoned grain. It was more probably caused by 

 the great increase in stoats and weasels. The birds always held their 

 own more or less in Central Otago, and they are reported from 1912 

 to 1920 as common and increasing in numbers. 



The Southland Society liberated two at Wallacetown in 1873, 

 and 29 in 1874, an( * up to 1890, they increased and were to be 

 seen in considerable numbers; but they have become rarer in later 

 years, and Mr Philpott tells me have completely disappeared from 

 Southland for many years. 



The Wellington Society liberated 266 in 1874, and 118 in 1875, 

 but their subsequent reports are very contradictory. In 1885 the 

 statement is made that "the number of these birds in this district 

 has greatly decreased of late years. In the Wairarapa they are nearly 

 extinct, owing to poisoned grain, and the introduction of stoats, 

 weasels and ferrets." In 1886 they are said to be fairly numerous ; and 

 in 1889: "they are increasing fast and have taken such a hold, that 

 there is little danger of their extermination by any fair means." In 

 1904 the Marton sub-committee report that " The Californian Quails, 

 which used to be so plentiful, are disappearing fast, as every succeeding 

 season they seem to be less; even in parts where they were thick, 

 now very few are to be found." In the same season the Masterton 

 sub-committee, writing from a rabbit-infested country, report that 

 "Quail are showing a marked increase." In 1910 they are said " to 

 hold their own fairly against stoats and ferrets. The birds are so 

 numerous in some districts as to be a nuisance. They came into the 

 Waimarina district from outside, and were protected till 1912, they 

 are still increasing (1915)." 



