CUCULIFORMES 137 



Mr Holman, Curator of the Whangarei Acclimatisation Society, 

 tells me that Australian Parakeets are abundant at Waitakerei ; but I 

 have not been able to find out whether it is this species, or the next 1 . 



Rose-hill Parroquet ; Roselle Parroquet ; Rosella (Platycercus eximius) 

 Colonel Boscawen informs me that this species is to be seen 

 occasionally in the neighbourhood of Auckland. It is frequently 

 introduced by bird-dealers, and has evidently escaped or been liberated 

 by private individuals. 



The rosella is considered to be a pest in the apple orchards in 

 parts of New South Wales. On the other hand it has been found to 

 feed on the larvae of blow-flies, which are a much worse pest. 



Cockatoo Parroquet (Calopsitta novce-hollandice) 

 The Auckland Society introduced two in 1871 from Adelaide. It 

 is frequently to be found in hands of dealers and private fanciers. 



Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galeritd) 

 Colonel Boscawen informs me that this species is frequently to 

 be seen on the Waitakerei Ranges, where it appears to have established 

 itself. This species was also reported from Nelson, but Mr F. G. Gibbs 

 informs me that the report arose from one tame bird which frequently 

 flew over the town screeching. 



Order CORACIIFORMES 



Family ALCEDINIWE 

 Laughing Jackass (Dacelo gigas) 



The Canterbury Society got two pairs of these birds from Mr 

 Wilkin in 1864, but there is no record of their being liberated. 

 However, in Lady Barker's Station Life in New Zealand (p. 16) it 

 is stated that on her voyage from Melbourne to New Zealand in the 

 'Albion' in 1865 one of her fellow-passengers had a number of birds 

 on board chiefly laughing jackasses. 



The Otago Society introduced four in 1866, and two in 1869, and 

 liberated them near the Silverstream. They were seen for some time 

 there, but ultimately disappeared. 



Sir George Grey introduced a number into Kawau in the early 

 sixties, but they all died. 



1 In the Report of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society for 1868 it is stated 

 that a large number of the pretty little Australian love-parrots has been received, 

 which the curator is desirous of disposing of, or exchanging. I do not know what 

 species is referred to. 



