INTRODUCTION. 
xlvii 
But the same popular prejudice was for a long time directed against the Common Pheasant. 
Gradually the country settlers were won over to a due appreciation of this valuable bird *. 
In addition to those already mentioned, the following English birds may now be considered 
permanently established in the country: — the Common Thrush, Blackbird, Sky-Lark, Greenfinch, 
Linnet, Chaffinch, Redpoll, Goldfinch, and Starling. Some years ago a number of Rooks were 
imported by the Auckland Acclimatization Society, but they do not appear to have spread far beyond 
the district in which they were first liberated. 
In addition to two species of Quail, we have imported very successfully from Australia the 
Indian Minah and the Native Magpie, both of which are useful and ornamental birds. 
Many other species have been introduced, and have appeared to thrive in their new home, 
although they cannot yet be looked upon as fairly established. 
I am not aware that any serious effort has been made to introduce Owls of any kind, but this 
is a matter well worth the attention of the local Acclimatization Societies. In 1873 I sent out from 
England a pair of Wood-Owls ( Syrnium aluco). They arrived safely at Napier, and after recruiting 
their strength were turned loose in a distant part of the Province. The Hon. Mr. Ormond, as 
superintendent of the Province, gave orders for their protection under the Act ; but notwithstanding 
nil these precautions, the unfortunate immigrants fell victims to popular prejudice. 
In some of the principal lakes in both islands the Australian Black Swan (Chenojns atrata), 
the first of which were introduced into the North Island by myself, about the year 1864, is now to 
be seen in considerable flocks, often numbering many hundreds. They appear to associate freely 
with the Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa), but it is an undeniable fact that on waters where this Swan 
reign in the low-lying lands ; his banishment has been revoked, and the courageous militia hastily recalled, which, if not strictly 
disciplined, are not the less the salvation of the country.” 
The Sparrow in New Zealand has an able and ever-ready champion in Mr. W. T. L. Travers, the well-known barrister, who 
thus attacked a proposal in the Colonial Legislature to exterminate it:— “War is to be waged against the Sparrows, under the 
authority of Parliament. The following short extracts show the wisdom brought to bear in discussing the question. The Hon. 
Mr. Chamberlain says that the Hawk is the natural enemy of the Sparrow, a deduction, no doubt, from the name ‘ Sparrow- 
hawk ’ applied to one species of Hawk, but no New-Zealand Hawk that I know of ever touches a Sparrow. Mr. Oliver tells us 
that it was a mistake to introduce the Sparrow, and so does Mr. Gray. Mr. Miller says that none but the agriculturist was 
fit to discuss the question, and drew a comparison between the Sparrow and the Starling, which was about as appropriate as if 
he had attempted to compare the Sparrow with the elephant. Mr. Acland said that the Sparrow did not destroy insects. 
Mr. Holmes read some extracts in support of his opinions against the Sparrow, and I can supply him with auy quantity more of 
the same kind, emanating from equal ignorance of the subject. It would be well if hon. gentlemen, in dealing with this 
question, would take the trouble to read the evidence given before a committee of the House of Lords on the subject of Sparrow- 
clubs in England, and if they should still entertain any respect for the intelligence of that august body, they would probably be 
disposed to change the opinions above expressed. Not many years ago the agriculturists of Hungary succeeded in getting the 
Sparrow proscribed by law, and he disappeared from the land. "Within five years from thattimo the Government were compelled 
to spend 230,000 rix dollars in reintroducing him from other countries. In the North Island, and in the northern parts of the 
S °utfi island, the cultivation of valuable deciduous trees was practically impossible until the large cicada had been greatly reduced 
m numbers, and if Mr. Acland had seen, as I and many others have, the Sparrow actively engaged in destroying these creatures 
and devouring them, he might probably change his opinion. The nestling Sparrow cannot eat hard food, and careful observation 
has shown that a pair of parent Sparrows will bring upwards of 3000 insects to the nest in the course of a single day to feed its 
brood.” 
A practical farmer thus writes to one of tho newspapers : — “ As much has been written and said for and against this 
beautiful bird, I will add my experience on the subject. On the one hand the Pheasants completely cleared a patch of maize 
0! me , but on the other hand, when, some time after, I shot one of the dopredators, its crop was found to contain about half-a- 
puit of fiagmcnts of black crickets. I have therefore resolved for the future to endeavour to scare them away from my crops, 
but on no account to exterminate them.” 
