ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 301, 16 April 1874, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

We citracfc the following from the report of the Auckland Aei'lnnahsation Sociel j .—. — Rooks. — The Council had to report last year that » disturbance to the rooks at their breeding srason had caused most of the nests to be foMrfken.; while some of tho 'adult buds had also been lost bj an epidemic, identical with that prevalent at tta time amongst domestic poultry. No euch untoward accidents having occurred during this last year, and aerenil pairs of the birds, having built and nested in their regular course, a« if feeling tltemsekcs at homo, the success of til is important and costly importation may be considered as secured, although the increase) liai not yet been so large as might hnvo been desired. Another, season, it js hoped, will be sufficient to spread the birds touch more widely through the Auckland district, as they have already shown a disposition to scatttr and form new colonies.

Bei> Grousk. — As upon previous occassions, the society have to acknowledge the en'ightened and energetic assistance conferred upoa it in so many ways by its old and tried friend Mr Larkworthy, who has during the past year continued indefatigable in his attempt to establish red grouse in the colony. The difficulties in the way of this undertaking are well known to all the members ; the restricted area of the natural distribution of this species rendering any sufficient numbers difficult to procure for shipment ; while the shy habits of the bird make it peculiarly impatient of confinement, especially on artificial diet A large parcel was prepared for shipment under Mr L*rkworthy's personal superintendence, and shipped under the care of Mr Gibson Ferrier, who attended to them duriug the transit in the most unwearied and patient manner, though with less success than might be hoped for,— one pair only being landed, but these in good condition. They were as speedily as possible forwarded to Matamata, and liberated there ; the fpair liberated at the same place last year appear to have thriven and established themselves, as their cry has been heard upon several occasions lately. It is therefore hoped that they may ultimately spread from thie cenfcte over the Upper Waikxto and T*upo districts Mr Larkworthy shipped also a consignment of heather seed, part of which has been sent out to vauous places in this province, particularly to Taupo, Matamata and Alexandra, the romainder being distributed amongst the various Acclimatisation Societies of the southern provinces.

Black Game. — Mr Larkvrorthy has also during the past season attempted another difficult tafk,— namely the procuring and shipping of a parcel of black game ; the eggs having been collected and hatched, and the young birds presented by Mr Fleming, of Keil House. Unfortunately this attempt |proved unsuccessful, as the entire number died before they reached the Docks.

Quail — From Whangaiei good reports hare been received of the increase of the Californian qumil liberated in thatdiitricfc; into which manj tmall birds nre now reported to be spreading without any further trouble on the part of the ■3cietr.

Sky Lares, &c. — To the K*t o£ birds which may now bo considered as thoroughly established in the Province, the council may add the sky-lark, the yollowhammpr, the goldfinch, and the rtdpole- A fact, noticed in reference to the sky-lark, tends to show that the bird has attained even a higher degree of vigor here than in Encland ; for, initead of iti long being confined to the d»y hours and to the ascending flight only, it may be heard here for at least an hour after sunsefc, and' during the descending flight, until the bird reaches within a- few feet of the ground. In some districts large flbeks of yollowhammers- may be frequently seen, linnets of various kinds are becoming common, and more than one nest of the hedjjf -sparrow has been observed. Birds to be Intbom/cid. — The council' has already arranged for the introduction of a. number of soft -billed birds during the ensuing year ; the extensive ravages' of small insects shewing plainly tbat ior some time to corae their chief efforts are required in this direction. The following birds are now being procured by the hon secretary in London, and advices of their shipment may shortly be expected : — common timo.ise, long tailed titmouse, hedge sparrow, piedi wagtail, yollow wagtail, grey wagtail, whitethroat, nuthatch, golden plover, lapwing, woodpecker.

Fish. — The acknowledgments of the society are due to the -Board of Salmon Couamisoionero of Tanmnnia, for a parcel of trout ova, which were successfully hatchrrl in the fish-bouse in tho domain. The admirable condition in which these ova were received encourages the council to hope that future attempts in 'his direction, may result as well ; no less a proportion than 9£ per ceut having been brought out jiltve. The young fish have been distributed at a low price to several stations ; but the difficulty and risk of conveyance has been found very great, owing to the constant watching and feeding required bv thorn at this period of th«ir growth. It would be advisable to try whether an earlier stage of development might not afford a more suitable opportunity for their distribution. • Tho council are not altogether ■atitiied with the position of the fish-house in the d unain, and have had tho removal of' it in contemplation ; but thoy have not, u yet, determined upon a more suitable locality.

Financks.— lii reference to the Junds of the aooietj^ it ■will be seen from the account! printed herewith, that the amount receirrd for garae hcsn3e fae» \t rather in 8ic»»» of

t'-at ol the previows year, while n 6'iiall deficiency 19 bhewn iv the roceipta from the admission foes at the gardens The deereaso in the amount of subscriptions iiown, as compared with those of last year, is uiainlj owing to the nonrjeoipt of advices in detail of tho amounts collected in Eng1 aid by Mr Larkworthy.

"PuortCTrox of Animus Act." — The society has been | duly registered under the provisions of the last " Protection of Animals Act " of the General Assembly. His Honor the Superintendent has communicated with the council, requesting their opinion as to the proper months to be proclaimed as " dos 3 months " in reference to native game, a question to which their best attention will be given at an early period. The council cannot conclude this report without expressing their hearty thanks to Mr W. K. Graham, their honorary, secretary in London, for the constant attention to tho interests of tho society he has manifested in so many ways, making its work a labor of love, and thereby g*nng far to ensure success. In conclusion, the council desire to express their very deep sense of the loss the society has sustained during the past year, in tho retirement of its late secretary, T. Kirk, Esq , F L.S. This gentlemen has been associated with the society from an early period of it 3 existence, when its position was ill-assured and struggling; and it u mainly owing to ins labors, pursued (like those of Mr Graham and Mr Larlinorthy) in no mercenary spirit, but with that loving diligence so essential to success, that tho Council can at the pret-ent moment refer to the prosperous career of tho society, and the high, place it occupies amongst similar colonial institutions.