ACCLIMATISATION IN NORTH OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 3330, 22 October 1873, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION IN NORTH OTAGO.

We are glad to learn that the efforts put forth some two or three years ago by the then active, but now apparently defunct Branch Acclimatisation Society of Oamaru, have been attended with a considerable measure of success ; indeed, in some instances that success has been very gratifying. It will be remembered that the Society intro duced thrushes, blackbirds, starlings, gold* finches, skylarks, pheasants, partridges, and bares ; and that, through the parent Society in Dunedin, red deer were received, being, we believe, a present from Earl Dalhousie, and forwarded to Morven Hills; also, a quantity of trout fry, which were liberated in the streams in the district. The thrushes built at Mr Derrett’s some seventeen nests in one season, but o >ly two or three broods of young were hatched out. Those, and ail the old male birds appear to have fallen a prey to the hawk, or more probably to the shrike or New Zealand cuckoo, as it is termed—the song of the parent bird attracting its enemies, and proving, like the notes of the swan, the presage of its own destruction. The blackbirds have not been heard of since they wore liberated, which is not by any means surprising, as they were only three or four in number. The goldfinches have been seen near Cave Valley, and have bred. Those libo rated near Otepopo will probably have taken to the bush, and may be expected to thrive. Kerently, the Song of the lark was heard by sciilers on the Papakaio Plain ; and the starlings—the most successful importation of all the small birds—have multiplied ra; idly. They build regularly under the oaves and in the ch'mnoy* of many places in town —our office Included—and arc far more prolific than in '.ho old country, raising two, and sometimes three broods • year. The pheasants and partridges have done remarkablj well, and may be fairly considered established. Several broods of the former were seen recently on the Cape, while largo coveys of the latter have been seen north of the t*<wn this season. The red deer have found a most congenial habitat on the Morven Ranges, and have increased to a very considerable herd. They are almost beyond the reach of molestation, and in a few years we may look forward to their being in sufficient numbers to allow of that most ex citing of all sports—deer stalking. The hares have, also, it is said, increased ; and we hope ere long that greyhounds will he with us something better than toys. The trout are known to have succeeded in the Island •>t- earn and Kakanui, and it is not long since fish of good size were seen in the Oamaru Creek. On the whole, the efforts already put forth have been attended with very encouraging success, and it is much to be regretted that a suspension has occurred in the operations of the Branch Society. Cannot its organisation be revived ? Surely there is energy enough left m Oamaru for this purpose.--Times.