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Details are given of the following evidence leading to an assessment of the number of takahe in the “Special Area,” a region of 518 sq. km in the Murchison Mountains: the number of known takahe ” territories ” in the various localities or areas of the Murchison Mountains from 1948 to 1971 inclusive; observations made by different organizations in the ” Special Area ” (excluding the Takahe Valley – Point Burn Study Area) since 1948; the substance of the observations on which the population estimate is based; details of field observations and estimates of total number of territories and total adult population in the ” Special Area ” during the 1960s. The total population of takahe is estimated to number about 435–510 with a possible maximum in excess of 560 birds.