"j" g "J Australasian Ofiiithulogisls' Union. \ \ j 



Goldfinches {Cardiielis elegaiis) are thoroughly estabhshecl and 

 have done well, being exceedingly plentiful l)oth near Melbourne 

 and also in the thick vegetation round Port Phillip ; at Geelong 

 they are especially 'numerous, nesting in the trees planted in the 

 streets. These little birds are also plentiful in many parts of 

 Tasmania, especially near Hobart. The first consignment of 34 

 was liberated in 1863, and 20 in 1864 ; these seem to be the only 

 ones turned out, so they could not have scattered much, and must 

 have gradually increased from one locality. The Goldfinch is 

 apparently strictly a seed-eating bird, and does not seem to trouble 

 fruit-growers. 



Yellow-Hammers (Eiiiberir.a citrinella) have also failed to estab- 

 lish themselves, although 15 were turned loose in 1863, and 15 

 more in the following year ; but they were hardly in sufificient 

 numbers to obtain a foothold, and gradually disap})eared. 



Siskin Finches {Chrysomitris spiniis) were also tried, 40 being 

 liberated in 1864 and 20 in 1872 ; but they also got scattered, and, 

 losing touch with one another, died out. 



Seven English Robins [Erithacus rubecida) were let loose in 1863 

 at the Royal Park, and four more in 1872, but, being so few, they 

 soon disappeared. 



In 1863 a small lot of Thrushes (Turdus mnsicus) were turned .out, 

 and 28 in 1872, and a small lot near Sydney in the same year. These 

 birds, being very local, remained about the Botanical Gardens 

 and neighbourhood, and so kept together, and gradually, though 

 slowly, increased and spread, until now they are to be found all 

 round the neighbourhood of Melbourne and suburbs, although they 

 have not spread much into the country, appearing loth to leave 

 the protection of the gardens. It will be many years before they 

 increase in sulftcient numbers to be found all over the State. They 

 breed two or three times a season, often using the same nest. In 

 consequence of their colour and retiring habits, they are often 

 passed by unseen. They are not as numerous in some places now 

 as they were a few years ago, and I think the reason is that they 

 have gone further afield. Curiously enough, one of their notes 

 is almost identical with that of the Australian Thrush {Geocichla 

 lunulata). 



The first lot of Blackbirds [Turdus inerula) that arrived here was 

 in 1864, when 6 were liberated in the Melbourne Botanical 

 Gardens ; in 1866 17 were turned out, and in 1872 22 more, as well 

 as a few near Sydney. They, like the Thrush, remained about the 

 suburban gardens, and have increased, if anything, slightly faster 

 than the Thrush. They are also more conspicuous in colour, and 

 noisier, and therefore soon draw attention to themselves ; they 

 are also to be found in all the suburban gardens round Melbourne, 

 and their beautiful note is to be frequently heard. Like the Thrush, 

 they are mostly ground-feeding birds, and Ixjth take fruit, but 

 principally what they find lying on the ground. Like the Indian 

 Minahs, Starlings, and Sparrows, they are very partial to figs and 

 grapes, and the only safe way to grow these fruits near Melbourne 



