ANSERIFORMES 



III 



to four in 1910, after which date there is no further mention of 

 them. 



* Common Pheasant ; English Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 

 * Chinese Pheasant ; Ringed Pheasant {P. torquatus) 



These two species must be treated together, because, though 

 separately introduced at several centres, they have apparently inter- 

 bred to some extent. The first-named species has never established 

 itself so readily as did Phasianus torquattis. 



The first pheasants introduced into New Zealand were brought 

 from England to Wellington in 1842 by Mrs Wills, a passenger in 

 the ' London,' who landed a cock and three hen birds. In the following 

 year Mr Petre landed some more. I cannot, however, trace the 

 subsequent history of these birds. 



In 1845 some English pheasants were liberated at Mongonui by 

 Mr Walter Brodie. These birds, though multiplying round the spot 

 where they were liberated, did not spread much. In later years, up 

 to 1869, they were distributed and turned out at Tauranga, Tolago 

 Bay, Raglan, Kawau, Bay of Islands and Napier. 



Mr James Hay states that English pheasants were first imported 

 into Banks' Peninsula by Messrs Smith and C. H. Robinson in the 

 ' Monarch ' in 1850. " Mr Robinson gave Mrs Sinclair one pair. She 

 kept them in a wire-house, but one having escaped, the other was 

 let out. Instead of remaining in Pigeon Bay, the birds went straight 

 over the hill to Port Levy in the early spring of 1851." There they 

 increased rapidly, but it was six years before they re-appeared in 

 Pigeon Bay. 



In 1853 Sir Edwin Dashwood brought out some English pheasants 

 to Nelson. These birds increased greatly and soon found their way 

 to the Waimea Plains, and in other directions. Two unsuccessful 

 attempts were made later by Mr Henry Redwood, but on each occasion 

 only one bird arrived. 



The Otago Society liberated four English pheasants in 1865, 

 36 in 1866, six in 1867, 12 in 1868, 100 in 1869, 13 in 

 1870, ten in 1874, and 12 in 1877. There was no mistake as 

 to their intention to establish them thoroughly. In 1871 they are 

 reported as increasing rapidly in Otago; and in 1877 as "abundant 

 from Oamaru to Invercargill ; many shooting licences have been 

 granted." 



Sir Frederick Weld brought out a number of birds from England 

 to Christchurch in 1865. The Canterbury Society imported four, 

 in 1867, and 30 in 1868. In 1871 it was stated that they are 

 "thoroughly established, and needing no further importations." 



