The Zoologist — September, 1874. 4135 



Gulls. — May 27. Noticed many this morning feeding on mussels 

 on the "crow," which they pick up, fly aloft with, and drop on the 

 sharp stones below. 



Gervase F. Mathew. 



On Recent Changes in the Fauna of New Zealand. 

 By Thomas H. Potts, F.L.S. 



[The following paper, kindly transmitted by Dr. Potts, ^as read before 

 the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, New Zealand, on the I2th of 

 December, 1879 ; subsequently it was printed in the ' Field ' newspaper, 

 and lastly in a separate form at Christchurch, New Zealand. Hitherto 

 it has not appeared in a purely zoological journal hke the ' Zoologist,' and 

 I am sure it will be read with much miexes,i,— Edward Newman.] 



In all observations on the /era natures of New Zealand an 

 important fact constantly presents itself, namely, that in a com- 

 paratively short space of time a marked change has been effected in 

 the fauna through the agency of civilization. In a great measure 

 this has been brought about by the increasing destruction of many 

 native species, which are now, in consequence, fast dying out. At 

 the same time, if, through the indifference of an increasing popula- 

 tion or a mistaken zeal in enriching museums, many peculiar and 

 interesting forms are becoming extinct, the introduction of foreign 

 birds by private individuals and acclimatisation societies has added 

 several new species to the New Zealand fauna, which it may be 

 hoped are of sufficient value to render their importation a benefit 

 to the country. 



The introduction of foreign birds is attended not only with 

 expense, but with considerable difficulty, and many attempts have 

 failed, simply from the length of the voyage and want of proper 

 care and attention on board ship. Yet, notwithstanding these draw- 

 backs, several successful importations have gradually produced 

 effect, and the imported species have multiplied so rapidly that the 

 character of the avifauna in parts has been considerably affected 

 thereby. In the North Island the common pheasant and Californi^n 

 quail have increased wonderfully, and are still spreading over a 

 large extent of country; and it is satisfactory to find that the 

 Maoris, instead of destroying, encourage and protect these new 



