PASSERIFORMES 147 



bushes. I have met with the bird wherever I have gone, and found it as 

 common on the Hunter Mountains at 3000 feet elevation, as in the bush 

 near Invercargill. I have no records of the thrush occurring in Alpine 

 forests. The spread of succulent-fruited plants is probably accomplished • 

 to a greater extent by blackbirds than by any other species. 



They can evidently hold their own very well among the native 

 avifauna, for Mr L. J. Phillips of Kaitoke states that on several occa- 

 sions he has seen two or three blackbirds set on and kill a tui 

 (Prosthemadera) . 



Kerner states that the blackbird is much less fastidious in regard 

 to its food than the thrush. When fed in confinement, it swallowed 

 even poisonous fruits like those of the yew, and never rejected a single 

 fruit that was mixed with its food. Of the fruits and seeds which 

 passed through the intestines, 75 per cent, germinated. 



The blackbird has found its way to the Chatham Islands, which 

 are distant 450 miles from the nearest point of New Zealand, and 

 are increasing there, and scattering seeds of such noxious weeds as 

 the blackberry. 



Mr Drummond also is responsible for the statement (in 1907) that 

 they "have taken up their residence on the lonely Auckland Islands." 

 They are about 290 miles south of the Bluff, but only 230 miles from 

 the south end of Stewart Island. The prevalent winds, however, would 

 sadly impede the passage of a bird bound southwards. 



In Europe there are migratory races both of thrushes and black- 

 birds, and it is quite possible that some of the birds introduced into 

 New Zealand may have belonged to such races. 



Robin Redbreast {Erithacus rubeculd) 



The Nelson Society attempted to introduce robins in or about 

 1862, but only one bird arrived. 



The Auckland Society introduced three in 1868, three in 1871, 

 and three in 1872. 



The Canterbury Society introduced a number (not specified) in 

 1879, ^^^ t^^ report for that year states that "the old familiar 

 shrill note may be heard in the Society's grounds morning and 

 evening." 



The Wellington Society liberated ten in 1883, and three years 

 later one was reported to have been seen in Happy Valley. 



The Otago Society liberated 40 in 1885 at Fulton's Bush, West 

 Taieri; and R. Bills, who brought them out, sold another 40 to 

 private individuals. In 1886 some 20 more were imported and 

 liberated at the same spot. They were scarcely ever seen again, but 

 in 1 89 1, Mr A. C. Begg reported one in a Dunedin suburban garden. 



