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I know that the Colony of New Zealand has been at a very considerable expense in introducing pheasants, partridges, and various other birds, but all this will have been incurred to no purpose if they are to be followed by their enemies, for ferrets and stoats are every bit as destructive to them— especially such birds as have their nests on the ground —as to rabbits. In proof of which is the fact that these Mxistelidcß have been almost extirpated in every game preserve in England, and there is no gamekeeper in this country who does not wage incessant war against them. The native birds of New Zealand also are still more certain to fall a prey to them than the introduced kinds, and their importance to the colonial farmers, if not as yet fully appreciated, is sure to be so when, in consequence of their extinction, a plague of insects, far worse than that of rabbits, will assuredly be felt, I have, &c, Sir "W. Tyrone Power, K.C.B. Alfred Newton. P.S. —Since writing the foregoing, our last post has brought me your letter of the 15th. On this I would beg leave to remark, that so far as my own experience goes —which I must say is, in this matter, not inconsiderable—the method of catching rabbits by means of a trapping-bank can be effectually used in the most open country, and, as a matter of fact, is never resorted to on an enclosed warren. I feel very sure, therefore, that this method could be put into operation iu New Zealand with success. Alfred Newton.

Enclosure 4 in No. 2. Mr. Baetlett to the Agent-Genebal. Mt dear Sib,— 16th November, 1876. The address of the trap-maker I hand you over leaf. I would not advise any one to buy a cheap article, more particularly to send such a distance as New Zealand. Have chains and a ring affixed to eacli trap ; but I would not have an iron stake —in such a country wood is so common they can make stakes thus ~^>- You see this is put through the ring and driven into the ground, and when anything is caught it can work round the peg, and so not wring off, as these bow-spring traps have no ring as a safeguard. When setting my man had a link open at one end, resembling very much a small magnet. I mention this because a prejudice is easily established against such traps as are very liable to catch the fingers of the setter; and of course all properly set traps want to be set somewhat ticklish. You ought, in any instructions sent out, to remind the instructed the rabbits ought to be allowed a few nights to run through the gaps in the furrow ; they will trap three times as well. A great many inay be caught by a well-ploughed-up furrow so gapped without wire netting. I have, &c, Heney A. Baetlett. Instettctions foe Teappee. Let the trap be adjusted so as to spring lightly. Take care the earth be fine, and free from sticks and long grass with which the table and jaws of the trap are covered. For comfort in setting, slide the link made thus CZ over the spring next the jaws, and remove it when set. Traps of best sort ought to be 365. per dozen. Samuel Geiffiths, Trap-maker, Wednesfield Heath, Wolverhampton.

No. 3. The Hon. C. C. Bowen to the Agent-General, London. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 23rd January, 1877. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 906, of the 22nd November, and to request that you will be good enough to convey to Professor Newton the thanks of the Government for the trouble he has taken in forwarding information as to trapping rabbits. His letters will be printed and circulated in the colony wherever they may be useful. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Chas. C. Bowen.

No. 4. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaby. 7, "Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 12th December, 1876. In continuation of my letter of the 22nd November, No. 90G, I have the honor to enclose you a further letter, which I have received from Mr. Alfred Newton, of Magdalene College, Cambridge, with its enclosure, containing suggestions by Mr. Marlborough Pryor, late Natural Science Fellow of Trinity College in the same University, on the subject of the extirpation of rabbits. I have, &c, W. Tyeone Power, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Agent-General.