ANSERIFORMES 107 



Some time previous to 1864 the Nelson Society introduced seven 

 birds into that district. 



In 1864 the Canterbury Society received four birds from Sir Geo. 

 Grey, and liberated them on the Avon; and later two more from 

 Mr Wilkin. In 1866 the same society received one from Mr Mueller, 

 and four more from Sir Geo. Grey. 



But the big effort came from the Otago Society, which liberated 

 one in 1866, 42 in 1867, four in 1868, six in 1869, and eight 

 in 1870. 



The Southland Society also liberated six in 1869. 



The birds quickly established themselves, spreading into all parts 

 of the island from Stewart Island and the West Coast Sounds to 

 Cook's Strait. Their whistling flight is a common sound at night. 



Sir W. L. Buller says "the first were introduced into the North 

 Island in 1864." The Auckland Society liberated four in 1867. 

 They were plentiful in the Kaipara district ten years ago. They 

 were also reported to be abundant in the Chatham Islands a few 

 years ago. 



Sir W. L. Buller states, and Mr Drummond repeats the statement, 

 that wherever the black swan is found the wild duck {Anas superciliosa) 

 disappears. 



Sir Thos. Mackenzie records a case of a black swan being killed 

 by a weasel. 



White Swan (Cygnus olor) 



This bird has never gone wild in New Zealand, but is still, as in 

 Britain, always associated with preserved ponds and streams. The 

 Canterbury Society received two in 1866; the Otago Society three in 

 1868, and one in 1869; the Auckland Society two in 1869 (from Sir 

 Geo. Grey), and 12 in 1871 (from Captain Hutton). Several were also 

 introduced by private individuals and by dealers. It is nowhere 

 common. 



Family Megapodiid^ 

 Scrub Turkey ; Brush Turkey {Catheturus lathami) 



The Auckland Society received two from New South Wales, from 

 Sir Geo. Bowen before 1869, and liberated them at Kaipara, but they 

 failed to establish themselves. 



Family Cracid^ 



Curassow (probably the Crested Curassow) {Crax alector) 



The Canterbury Society received two in 1873, and one in 1874; 

 but there is no further record. 



