CHARADRIIFORMES 133 



Wonga-Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia picata) 



The Canterbury Society received two pairs from Mr Wilkin in 

 1864, and four more in 1871, from Mr R. B. Johnstone. These were 

 apparently kept for breeding in the aviaries, for in 1872 they had 

 still eight birds. In 1883 seven more were received. There is no 

 record as to whether they were liberated or not, and no further men- 

 tion of them. 



Mr E. F. Stead writes me (April, 1916): 



In the early go's Mr Peter Cunningham introduced some from 

 Australia to Rockwood, his station near Whitecliffs. I can remember three 

 or four pairs running about the garden there; they rarely flew. But they 

 have all gone. The presence of the weasels would preclude the possibility 

 of establishing them here. 



Some were introduced into Nelson in 1867, but I cannot learn 

 what came of them. 



The Auckland Society received two pairs in 1868 from Mr Dacre, 

 and in 1870 two more pairs from Sir Julius Vogel. There is no record 

 of what was done with them. 



The Otago Society introduced 12 in 1869, but they were kept 

 too long in the aviaries, where many died. The remainder were 

 liberated in the upper part of the Gardens, but were apparently too 

 tame, and were killed by cats. 



The Wellington Society imported 12 in 1875, and 22 in 1876. It 

 is not stated where they were liberated, but they were seen for 

 some considerable time afterwards, and some were reported from 

 Wainuiomata. They were not reported again, and apparently 

 completely disappeared. 



Ring Dove (Turtur risorius) 



These birds have been commonly imported by dealers at all the 

 chief ports for the last 40 or 50 years, and passing into the hands 

 of private individuals, were in many cases liberated round home- 

 steads and dwellings. The Canterbury Society kept them for years in 

 their aviaries. The first pair were imported about 1866. In some 

 reports they are called "Ring-doves," in others, "Turtle-doves." 



The Nelson Society introduced some of these birds in 1867. 



The Auckland Society received five "doves" from Mr Jas. 

 Williamson in 1867; probably this bird. 



Mr E. F. Stead writes: "there is a fairly large number of ring- 

 doves in the (Christchurch) domain. People have turned them out 

 in their gardens in various parts of the city, and they stop about and 

 do fairly well, but do not seem to increase." The same is true of 

 suburban gardens about Dunedin. 



