THE PARTRIDGE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1926, Page 12

THE PARTRIDGE

EARLY ACCLIMATISATION ATTEMPTS

AUCKLAND'S PREPARATIONS.

In view of the renewed attempts at the acclimatisation of partridges, the following earlier Canterbury experiences in this direction, supplied by Mr. T. M. Sawle, are most interesting, as they show that, apart from the danger to all ground-nesting birds from weasels and stoats, the laying of poisoned grain is a certain exterminator in time.

"Partridges," says Mr. Sawle, "were first liberated about the year 1805. In the year 1870 or 1871 an occasional small covey could be raised in any part of that country from the Waimakariri River in the north to the Selwyn in the south, and from the hills on tho west to the sea. Birds having been liberated in one or more pairs at West Melton Courtney, Eacocourso Hill, Home Bush, Hororata, Greeudale, etc., so rapidly did they increase that in 1874-75 in some localities, notably on the Upper Solwyn, Waireki, and Hawkins Rivers, it was no uncommon thing to raise of 20 or more birds. Up till 1875-76 these birds were closely protected; about that time an open season was declared for a period of one month, for male birds only. The district in which I resided at that time— 'Greendale' —was the home of several keen sportsmen; one of these gentlemen had been closely connected with the rearing and breeding of partridges in England and was thoroughly acquainted with their habits. The writer has often heard him express his surprise at the wonderful vitality of these birds in New, Zealand and also their prolific increase.

■'"During the first open season ono sportsman who kept a strict account shot 82 birds. . The writer and a brother also accounted for about the same number between them, and a number of others were equally successful. The following season birds were, I think, even more plentiful; at least larger bags were obtained. (This is merely mentioned to show how plentiful these birds had become.) Shortly afterwards the system of destroying small birds by the laying of poisoned grain was introduced, aiid had a very deadly effect on all imported game. The partridge especially suffered almost to the point of extinction. For some few years afterwards you would see an occasional small covey, but in a very short time they had almost entirely disappeared. They are not even now totally extinct, for on visiting that district again last year, after an absence of over 40 years, on the banks of the Hawkins River myself and friend disturbed a solitary hen partridge. There is no doubt that the poisoned grain was the cause of this practical extinction. The writer well remembers frequently picking up several dead birds after each laying of poisoned grain, and many of his friends had similar experiences. To conclude, I may say that partridges were without doubt most successfully acclimatised in Canterbury, and but for the deadly effects of the poisoned grain would, with reasonable protection, have continued to increase and would have been permanently established.''

Commenting on these experiences, the president of the' Auckland Acclimatisation Society says:—"Mr. Sawle's information is most valuable, inasmuch as the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society has just imported a small consignment of chuckor from the foothills of the Himalayas in India, which are identical to tho Red Leg or French partridge, whilst Auckland Acclimatisation Society expects a shipment of 500 partridges from England and 100 French partridges, at an early date, and their efforts to' acclimatise these birds successfully in their district will be watched with keen interest by all sportsmen throughout New Zealand.

"This district has been prepared for the partridge by the destruction of 70,000 hawks during the last few years, and although there are still a few left, greater activity is to be started, this month to still further reduce the pest, which is a menace to all garrfb, poultry, and lambs. The societies south of the Auckland acclimatisation district havo been doing little or . nothing in the destruction of the hawk, and in the interest of gamo birds it is to be hoped that the various societies concerned will start a real war against the hawk."