ANSERIFORMES 103 



I have not heard that the species has been liberated, or if so that 

 the birds have been seen. 



American Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 



The Auckland Society introduced two in 1867; the Canterbury 

 Society one in 1871 ; the Wellington Society two in 1894 and four 

 in 1899; and the Otago Society one in 1906. Probably others have 

 been brought in since. 



They appear to have been kept as aviary birds in each locality, 

 except in Wellington, where the last four received were liberated. 

 There is no record of increase, except in Christchurch, where they 

 were reported to be thriving in 1908. 



Mr Dansey of Rotorua informs me that in 1906, Mr McBean 

 introduced and liberated some Canadian wood ducks (presumably 

 this species) on Lake Okareka, which lies in a basin between Rotorua 

 and Tarawera Lakes. They were seen there for some years, but no 

 young were ever observed. 



Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) 



The Auckland Society received one in 1868; the Canterbury 

 Society two in 187 1, and a number in 1885 from the Royal Zoological 

 Society of London; and the Otago Society four in 1907. Private 

 dealers also frequently introduced this bird. There is no record of 

 their increase, or of their liberation. 



Black Indian Duck 



I do not know what species is referred to, but it is probably the 

 tufted duck [Fuligula cristata), known to Indian sportsmen as the 

 "Golden-Eye." 



In 1870 the Auckland Society received five from the Acclimatisa- 

 tion Society of Victoria. 



Mr Dansey informs me that along with the Canadian wood ducks, 

 Mr McBean in 1906 introduced some Indian ducks, which were also 

 liberated on Lake Okareka, but they never increased. 



Probably most of the species of geese referred to in this list are 

 more or less migratory species, breeding near or within the Arctic 

 Circle, and wintering in temperate or warm temperate regions. 



Egyptian Goose; Cape Goose {Chenalopex eegyptiaca) 



Sir Geo. Grey brought eight or ten of these birds from the Cape 

 with him in i860. They bred freely at the Kawau, and many of them 

 crossed over to the mainland. They were not long in spreading through 



