Il8 Australasian Oynithologists Union. I ist "jan. 



is to cover them with netting. The Blackbird is not increasing 

 very fast, and since its house is principally in suburban gardens, it 

 can easily be kept in check if necessary. 



Sixteen Ortolans {Emberiza hortulana) were liberated in 1863, 

 but, being so few, they soon disappeared, as did 18 Canaries that 

 were let loose in 1872. 



Skylarks [Alauda arvensis) are now well established in the district 

 round Melbourne, and are gradually spreading, and have evidently 

 found a permanent foothold, but so far their increase has been 

 very slow. Fortunately they are very local, and those liberated 

 mostly took up their quarters in the country near the mouth of 

 the Yarra, where they were undisturbed, and spread principally 

 from there. A small lot was first let loose in 1863 ; 80 in 1867 ; 30 

 in 1870 and 1872, as well as some near Sydney, and 100 in 1873-4. 

 Many of the latter consignment were liberated at Mount Ridley, 

 a few miles from Melbourne, but they were subjected to a heavy 

 rain storm, followed by very cold weather, when still weak from 

 their long confinement, and many died from the effects of exposure 

 to the elements. It is satisfactory, however, to know that this 

 bird has been acclimatized, and so far no complaints have been 

 made against it. 



In 1872 8 Turtle Doves {Tiirtur communis) were imported, 

 and this small lot soon disappeared, but in 1870 a number of Indian 

 Turtle Doves (Turtur suratensis) were liberated at the Zoological 

 Gardens, and 16 more in 1874, which remained about there and 

 gradually increased. They are now spreading round Port Phillip on 

 its eastern side, where the tea-tree scrub offers them capital cover. 

 They will probably continue to spread in scrubby country, but 

 slowly. There are many of these birds at the Zoo and in its 

 neighbourhood, and now and again small lots have been sent to 

 other towns, but as a rule they have not succeeded, being 

 destroyed by birds of prey. 



Twenty Lesser Pin-tailed Sand-Grouse {Pterodes exusHis) were 

 turned down in 1863 ; 10 in 1864 were liberated at Phillip Island, 

 and a similar number in 1872 ; but the localities were evidently 

 not suitable for them, nor probably were the numbers sufficient, as 

 they did not thrive or increase, and soon disappeared. 



Californian Quail {Callipepla californica) were for a time more 

 successful. Six were liberated in 1863, but so few could not succeed, 

 but in 1872 a larger number was let out at Gembrook, Victoria, 

 and in 1874 40 more ; for two years they did well, and many nests 

 were found and young seen, but one season they all disappeared. 

 It is presumed that they migrated elsewhere ; anyhow, they were 

 never heard of again, and now it is probable there are very few, if 

 any, wild in Victoria. 



In the Gembrook Reserve both Indian Jungle Fowl and about 

 170 Guinea Fowls were liberated, but their enemies were too many 

 for them, and they gradually grew less and less, despite of those 

 that nested, and in about three years all were gone ; the same 

 with the Peafowl that were turned out at the same time and 

 place. 



