ACCLIMATISATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1128, 26 June 1867, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION.

Some more powerful influence than any acclima. tisation society, than any amount that was likclv to be raised for the iutroduction of small birds into this province, has been at work during the past month. Many of our readers hare doubtless obserred for two or three weeks past flocks of small birds, sometimes as many as a

cDiiplo of hundred together, hovering about their gardens and orchards in the vicinity of town. These birds so numerous about town, are, we are glad to learn, to be seen all over the country, wherever there is shelter for them, and still more, we learn, that in such gardens and orchards as they have yet frequented. the blight has nearly disappeared from the trees. Perhaps some of our friends who have had an opportunity of handling a specimen will be able through our columns to enlighten the public curiosity as to this kind, and whence they liwy possibly have come. Our own idea of the case is that migrating from one country to another, they have been blown out of their course by very strong winds, and having sighted this portion of New Zealand stopped for refreshment. and finding the country and climate suited to their taste have elected to make the province of Auckland their adopted home. That they may become buna Jidc settlers, we must all of us most heartily wish, and every encouragement should be afl'orded tliem to increase and multiply. They are c mall and luckily not worth powder and shot, and evidently from their liab'N will, in spring, build their nests in low bushes. Their worst enemies will be cats and bovs. From the former we can scarcely protect them, but we would earnestly impress upon parents and others, the duty of throwing every discouragement in the way of the latter when the pairing time arrives in spring time.