140 BIRDS 



According to Mr Drummond, some of these owls were liberated 

 in North Canterbury in 1910. 



It is evident that these birds have become firmly established in 

 the south portion of the South Island ; they are now quite common 

 round Dunedin. 



Wood Owl (Smyrnium aluco) 



Sir Walter Buller says : 



In 1873 I sent out from England a pair of Wood-owls (Smyrnium aluco). 

 They arrived safely at Napier, and after recruiting their strength were 

 turned out loose in a distant part of the province. They were protected 

 under the Act, but notwithstanding all these precautions, the unfortunate 

 immigrants fell victims to popular prejudice. 



Australian Owl, probably the Boobook Owl (Ninox boobook) 



The Otago Society introduced two in 1866, and liberated them in 

 the bush at Waikouaiti. They were not seen again. 



Order PASSERIFORMES 



Family ALAUDIDJE 

 * Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 



The introduction of this bird was general throughout New 

 Zealand. 



The Nelson Society, sometime before September, 1864, imported 

 20 larks into the district. 



The Otago Society liberated four in 1867, 35 in 1868, and 61 in 

 1869. Private dealers brought in others. 



The Canterbury Society introduced 13 in 1867, and 1 8 in 1871. 



The Auckland Society introduced ten in 1867, and 52 in 1868. 

 By 1873 tne y wei> e considered to be thoroughly established in the 

 provincial district. 



The Wellington Society introduced 52 in 1874, an ^ 5 6 in 1875. 



In 1879 7 were liberated on Stewart Island, and were seen 

 for a time at the head of Paterson Inlet; but Mr Traill informs me 

 (March, 1916) that "none have been reported for years." 



In every part of New Zealand they increased rapidly, and spread 

 throughout the whole country, but they confine themselves to cul- 

 tivated districts, and are not found in the bush or on open mountain 

 country, though Dr Hilgendorfs statement on the following page 

 modifies the last paragraph. 



Next to the sparrow, the skylark is considered by farmers to be 

 the most destructive of the small birds which have been introduced 



