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Zealand birds ; but I have not thought it necessary to do more than refer incidentally to the extra- 
ordinary manner in which many of the introduced birds have established themselves in the country, 
displacing in some districts the indigenous species, or at any rate adding by their competition another 
factor to those already in operation*. On the outskirts of the bush everywhere, the notes of English 
birds predominate ; and I have met with the ubiquitous Sparrow, not only among the steaming 
geysers of Wairakei, but on the barren heights of Owhaoko. I have already given (Introd. p. xlvii) a 
list of the other English birds that have already been successfully established. There will, ere long, 
be a welcome addition to the number, as Mr. H. R. Russell of Hawke s Bay (now in this country^ is 
taking active steps for the introduction of that sweetest of British songsters, the Nightingale. It will 
be interesting to see whether transportation to a new country, with a comparatively mild climate all 
the year round, will affect its migratory character ; for it cannot be denied that one or two of the 
species already acclimatized in New Zealand have, to some extent, changed their habits of life. 
Among the native species apparently doomed to extinction at no distant date are the Bell-bird 
and the Tui. The former of these has entirely disappeared from the North Island, but its delicious 
note is still to be heard in the gardens and shrubberies of Nelson and Christchurch ; and on the 
western side of the Southern Alps this bird is still to be found in all suitable localities. Tuis also, 
although greatly diminished in numbers during the last twenty years, are still comparatively plentiful 
in many parts of both islands. It is indeed pleasing to record that they sometimes frequent the 
shrubberies in and around our principal towns, and that in Mrs. Walter Johnston’s pretty garden at 
Wellington they are to be seen every spring, disporting themselves among the exotic flowers sur- 
rounding the house, and nesting, as I am assured, in an Australian bottle-brush almost within reach 
of the ball-room windows. 
On the other hand, some of the indigenous species And the new conditions of life favourable to 
their increase. For example, the Banded Rail {Bccllus pliilippensis) is now comparatively plentiful in 
all suitable localities. On the low-lying sandy lands near the sea-shore, where fields of pinky-red 
rushes alternate with flax and toetoe, it may be flushed by the sportsman’s dog, almost at his very feet ; 
and in the bosky fringes of the forest, where the native bramble casts a mantle over the low vege- 
tation, and tangles of kohia and other creeping plants make progression well-nigh impossible, its note 
is now familiar, although a few years since its very appearance was unknown to many of the natives. 
I have mentioned (Introd. p. xlviii, footnote) the unfortunate fate that befell one of the Queen’s 
White Swans at Kawau. I am glad, however, to learn from Professor Hutton that the experiment 
was not so unfruitful as I had supposed. Writing to me, from Christchurch, under date of Oct. IT? 
he says : — “ Sir George Grey gave me a pair of White Swans, in 1868, to take up to the Waikato. 
I turned them out in Lake Whangape, and when I left in 1870 there were thirteen of them. I have 
been told that they are now commonly seen on the lakes in the Lower Waikato.” He adds : — “ Also 
Rooks w'ere introduced into Canterbury from Lincolnshire, many years ago, by Sir Cracroft Wilson. 
They have done very well, and there must be over 200 now, in spite of poisoning. The Hedge- 
Sparrow is also naturalized here ; and I see a pair in my garden occasionally.” 
Since writing my account of the various species of Ocydromus inhabiting New Zealand, I have 
• In my account of the well-nigh extmct Pogonornis cincta (Vol. I. p. 104), I stated that the only collections in this country 
that could boast the possession of a female of this species were the British Museum and the University Museum at Cambridge. 
On this point, however. Canon Tristram sends me the following note ; — “ I have had for years a lovely female skin, in most 
perfect condition. It was given to me by the late Dr. Lyall, E.N., who shot it in 1850.” 
