150 BIRDS 



introduce them to the colony , and a considerable number were shipped , 

 but all died on the voyage out. 



Black-cap Warbler (Sylvia atricapilld) 



The Auckland Society introduced five in 1872. 

 Both of the above-named species are summer visitants in Britain, 

 and it was folly to attempt to naturalise them in New Zealand. 



Family HIRUNDINIDJE 

 Australian Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) 



This species is an occasional visitant to New Zealand. Sir Walter 

 Buller, in his introduction to his History of the Birds of New Zealand, 

 says: 



In March, 1851, a flight of the Australian Tree-Swallow appeared at 

 Taupata, near Cape Farewell; ten years later they were observed again 

 at Wakapuaka, near Nelson, and a specimen obtained ; and after a further 

 lapse of fully twenty years another flight, from which a specimen is now 

 in my possession, appeared for several days in succession in the outskirts 

 of Blenheim. 



In 1888 Mr W. W. Smith observed and recorded them from the 

 neighbourhood of Timaru. In 1901 numbers of them appeared at 

 New Brighton near Christchurch. I have been told of their occurrence 

 since at Whangarei and in the neighbourhood of Auckland, but have 

 no authentic information on the subject. 



I would not mention the species among introduced birds, were it 

 not for the action of various acclimatisation societies in regard to 

 them. In 1874 tne Auckland Society made the futile experiment of 

 obtaining some eggs and placing them in two nests, of a sparrow and a 

 chaffinch respectively. Needless to say the attempt failed. Even had 

 the foster-parents succeeded in hatching out the young, they would 

 not have supplied them with the right kind of food. 



About 1915 several of the acclimatisation societies proposed to 

 subscribe 5 each for the introduction of this migratory species; 

 fortunately for them the project was not carried out. 



Family LANIIDJE 

 Australian Shrike 



I do not know what bird this is, for there are many species of 

 Australian shrikes. The Wellington Society liberated 14 in 1877, and 

 15 in 1878; but there is no further record of them. 



