CARNIVORA 91 



conspicuously coloured animals to be seen. Mr W. H. Gates of 

 Skippers writes me (April, 1916): "As for colour they are of all 

 colours; — grey and white; tan and white; grey, with a black ridge 

 down the backbone; and buff." Other observers speak of the preva- 

 lence of black, black and white, and yellow rabbits. But Mr R. S. 

 Black of Dunedin, the largest exporter of rabbit-skins in the Dominion, 

 informs me that while they are of all colours, 95 per cent, of the 

 skins exported are grey. The other colours appeal more to the eye, 

 but they are not so abundant after all. That the rabbits of aberrant 

 colours should survive is not to be wondered at, seeing that in this 

 country there are no foxes, and neither hawks nor owls large enough 

 to tackle a full-grown rabbit. The common harrier-hawk takes a 

 considerable toll of young rabbits, but it is quite unable to keep them 

 in check. In many districts wild cats live mainly on rabbits. 



Mr Yarborough of Kohu Kohu tells me (August, 1916) that rabbits 

 became quite common in a district near Kawa Kawa (at the head of 

 the Bay of Islands) many years ago. Recently they have reached the 

 eastern side of the Hokianga River, and it is not unusual to see them 

 occasionally. Then he adds this interesting statement : 



/ have never heard of any rabbit burrows, as they appear to breed among 

 the rocks and roots of trees. They do not seem to have crossed yet to the 

 west side of the Hokianga River. No complaints have been heard of 

 devastation done by them, and it seems to be doubtful if they would thrive 

 in either our clay lands, or in volcanic areas. 



The comparatively heavy rainfall of Hokianga, amounting to some 

 60 to 70 inches per annum, has no doubt a good deal to do with the 

 comparative scarcity of the rabbit in this part of New Zealand. They 

 are, however, not uncommon near Kaikohe, and do make small 

 burrows^. 



Effect of Rabbits on the Country and Native Vegetation. 

 The economic waste caused by the vast increase of rabbits in New 

 Zealand is incalculable, and certainly represents a loss in the stock- 

 carrying capacity of the country which probably runs every year into 

 millions of pounds. It is not only that they eat up food which would 

 support some millions more sheep than are at present reared, but they 

 destroy large areas of country, and yield very little return for the 



■^ One curious effect of the recent great war has been a phenomenal increase 

 in the price of rabbit-skins. I have not been able to ascertain yet what effect this 

 is having on the rabbit question in Otago, but by the end of 1919 it has become 

 quite impossible to get rabbits for the table. At a sale held in Dunedin in December, 

 1919, the prices received for skins of winter growth ranged from issd. to 274^. 

 for six skins; that is to say, that the highest quality of super-does, as they are 

 termed, brought 3^. xod. per skin! 



Since this was written prices have altered greatly. In June 1921 the best skins 

 were fetching about 74^. per lb., or from 8rf. to i/- per skin. 



