154 BIRDS 



The Canterbury Society got a large number (36) shipped from 

 London in 1871, but only five survived the voyage, and these 

 were liberated in the Gardens at Christchurch. In March, 1873, 

 35 more were liberated in the Gardens. Writing me in 1890, 

 Captain Hutton said: "these birds are well naturalised about Christ- 

 church, but do not now increase much; possibly owing to poisoned 

 grain." They are fairly common now (191 6) south of Christchurch, 

 but are strictly localised, and have hardly spread from the spot where 

 they were originally liberated. They are very destructive to the grass- 

 grub {Odontria striata) in Canterbury. 



Mr A. H. Cockayne (April, 1919) says that they used to be most 

 abundant in Dean's Bush at Riccarton, Christchurch, but are now 

 rare. Also that two years ago there was a large rookery near Hastings, 

 Hawke's Bay, which has since been abandoned. Mr Graham, Manager 

 of Weraroa Government Farm, informs me, however, that Rooks are 

 very common in Hawke's Bay. 



Jackdaw {Corvus monedula) 



The Otago Society had some of these birds (the number not 

 specified) in their depot in 1867; but there is no further record of 

 them. 



The Canterbury Society received one from Mr McQuade of the 

 'Mermaid' in 1868. But they evidently obtained some more, for in 

 the Report for 1872 it is stated that "three of the jackdaws have 

 remained about the Society's Gardens since they were liberated." In 

 a newspaper cutting of 1871, received from the late Mr A. M. 

 Johnston, it is stated that two jackdaws are at Prebbleton, and two 

 at Kaiapoi. Mr E. F. Stead, writing in April, 1916, says: "there are 

 certainly no jackdaws wild in Canterbury at present." 



Family Sturnidje 

 * Starling (Sturnm vulgaris) 



The Nelson Society introduced 17 starlings about 1862, but have 

 lost their record. 



The Otago Society imported and liberated three in 1867, 81 in 

 1868, and 85 in 1869. 



The Canterbury Society introduced 20 in 1867, and 40 in 

 1871. 



The Auckland Society introduced 12 in 1865; 15 in 1867, and 

 82 in 1868; while the Wellington Society's record was 60 in 1877; 

 90 in 1878; 14 in 1881 ; 100 in 1882; and 34 in 1883. 



Besides all these, great numbers were introduced by private enter- 



