H.—33

24

Writer and Date. Remarks. Numbers, Increase or Decrease, and Enemies— continued. Cuvier Island —continued. F. J. Bony ; Ist April, "At present lam unable to state whether the lizards are increasing or 1913 decreasing. Bγ the remains of mutton-birds I have seen at different parts of the island there is an indication that cats are numerous, and since 1 have been appointed a protector 1 have hunted and killed several." 11. Harvey ; 4th April, 1913 "' The keepers are now doing their best to kill off the cats, and already a number have been destroyed." H. Harvey ; 24th May, 1913 " There are a number of wild goats on the island, which have been here for many years. They live mostly about the cliffs, and do no damage to the native bush except eating the leaves of some of the undergrowth, which soon grows again. The only rats on the island are the small native rats which, in my opinion, are not, like the larger European rat, destructive to small indigenous birds." (J. Mcl'herson; Bth Decem- " I have now resided here twelve months and never yet had the pleasure her, 1913 of seeing a tuatara, and can only add that if they are to be found on the island their numbers are few. I have destroyed a good many rats, a number of goats, and a few cats also." P. W. Grenfoll; sth April, " During the time I have been on the island close on fifty goats have 1914 been shot, also three cats. Since Mr. McPherspn recorded his opinion that there were no tuatara lizards on the island I have seen no less than four, although on account of the large number of wild cats there is a possibility that they will disappear altogether." I. W. (Jrenfell ; Ist No- " From personal observations 1 can only state that on the appearance of vember, 1914 warmer weather the lizards which I have seen previously appear to be doing all right. I have not seen any young ones. Rats and wild cats appear to be very numerous, and during the winter a large number of rats have been caught in traps sot in the boat-shed and dwellingbouses." JI. .J. Dusting; 16th No- " Since! have been here 1 have seen several tuatara, also signs of them all vember, 1914 over the island ; but 1 think the rats and cats destroy a good many, as there seems to be plenty of both on the island." W. J. -Barr ; loth October, " During the fourteen months that 1 was stationed at Cuvier Island I 1911 trapped and destroyed a large number of rats, and two oats and one hawk. I also travelled over the island many times, and 1 consider the number of tuataras to be small, as I only saw as many as three on one day." ¥. W. (Irenfell; Ist June, " Since writing my last report the tuatara appear to be in much the same 1915 quantity. Four black cats have been shot since January." Little Barrier Island. It. Nelson, caretaker; Ist " I believe that the tuatara is very rare, as I have only seen one during April, 1913 the two years that I have been here. There are still evidences of wild cats being on the island, although I have destroyed a good many of them." K. Nelson, caretaker; 24th " I have not been able to locate any of the species, although I have November, 1913 given a very careful search both in the low-lying districts and on the high lands as well. Once 1 heard a peculiar sound coming from one of the holes where the petrels build their nests. 1 could account for it only as being the sound of the tuatara. 1 have killed one cat since my last report. 1 have never seen traces of others. lam hoping that they are now all exterminated." li. Nelson, caretaker; Ist " Since submitting my last report I have not been fortunate in locating January, 1915 any of the tuatara lizards. - I have searched in some likely haunts, both during the daytime and after dark with a lantern, hoping that the light would attract them to it. I have noticed peculiar marks of feet on the sand near the muttbn-birds' nests, and believe they are their marks. I have destroyed another two wild cats, but lately I have come across fresh evidences that they are not all exterminated.''