DESTRUCTION OF RABBITS IN NEW ZEALAND. 323 
between M. rattus and M. decumanus, and in the Norwich case 
it seems likely that M. alexandrinus was the intruder. 
For comparison I give below some corresponding measure- 
ments in the Common Rat (a very variable quantity, but I give 
Mr. Eagle Clarke’s figures), of one of the Norwich specimens, of 
M. alexandrinus, and of Mr. Clarke’s M. hibernicus. 
WM. decuma- Norwich WM. hiberni- WM. alexan- 
nus, Clk. Rat. cus, Clk. drinus. 
In. lin. In. lin. In. lin, In. lin. 
Length of head and body 9 1 Pay 8 5 6 8 
A Garg 2 oooh. OD 0 8 0784.2 dy 0 
iy tail Boe eaets 7 eal o ab ee 8 2 
Mr. Eagle Clarke's measurements of Mus alexandrinus seem 
to have been taken from an unusually fine animal; those given 
by me were from an adult male, the largest I have ever seen. 
ON THE METHODS ADOPTED IN NEW ZEALAND FOR 
THE DESTRUCTION OF RABBITS.* 
By Coteman PHILLIPs. 
I wish to place on record the facts connected with the out- 
break of rabbit-disease in the South Wairarapa, and the methods 
by which the rabbit-pest was conquered in that district, as a 
guide for other places, especially insular lands of the globe. 
Early in the year 1884, finding that our poisoning operations 
to reduce the pest were proving futile, and not caring to erect 
rabbit-proof fencing around my land to protect myself from my 
neighbours, I determined upon calling the settlers together for 
the purpose of simultaneously taking proper measures to grapple 
with the evil. The pest had been worst with me during the 
years 1881-88, but by 1884 I had personally managed to get it 
down so far as my own run was concerned. The settlers met 
upon the 19th April, 1884. A voluntary system of simultaneous 
action was resolved upon, and I am pleased to be able to say 
now, in the year 1889, that the pest has been thoroughly con- 
quered over the whole district. The rabbits now only require 
watching, as they are watched in any country of Europe. 
* From the ‘Transactions of the New Zealand Institute,’ vol. xxi. (May, 
1889), pp. 429—488). 
2c2 
